Nebraska

Prior authorization requirements are up to the discretion of the state Medicaid program or insurance company.

Nebraska credentials one type of addiction counselor. A Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor requires, at minimum, a high school diploma, 270 hours of relevant education courses and 6,000 hours of experience. A higher-level degree can substitute the number of hours (i.e. a person with a bachelor’s degree needs 4,000 hours). Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-314 and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services

A licensed professional counselor provides assessment and treatment of mental and emotional disorders within the context of professional counseling theory and practice of individuals, couples, families or groups. Counselors may assist individuals or groups through the counseling relationship to develop understanding, define goals, plan action and change behavior with the goal of reflecting interests, abilities, aptitudes and needs as they are related to personal and social concerns, educational progress and occupations. Diagnostic ability is not outlined in statute. Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-2118

The certification standards and procedures for peer support and wellness specialists are developed and administered by the state’s Department of Health and Human Services. The standards include requirements for training, examination and continued education.

Physician relationship required.

Collaboration means a process and relationship in which a CNM works together with other health professionals to deliver health care within the scope of practice of certified nurse midwifery. The collaborative relationship between the physician and the nurse midwife shall be subject to the control and regulation of the board. A practice agreement shall be constructed which defines the practice setting and medical functions to be performed. The practice agreement should include their prescriptive authority. Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-609 and  Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-611

Transition to independent practice and prescribing period required.

To practice as an NP, an individual who holds or has held a license as a NP in Nebraska or in another state shall submit to the Division of Public Health of the Department of Health and Human Services a transition-to-practice agreement or evidence of completion of 2,000 hours of practice as a NP that have been completed under a transition-to-practice agreement, under a collaborative agreement, under an integrated practice agreement, through independent practice, or under any combination of such agreements and practice. Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-2322

An NP may prescribe medications that fall within their scope of practice. Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-2315

Nebraska does not have laws or regulations around POLST. Please see the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services website for more information on advance directives.

NPs are not explicitly recognized in state policy as primary care providers.

Optometrists may only perform procedures related to foreign body removal and the examination, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of the human eye. Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-2605(1)

Optometrists may administer an epinephrine autoinjector for treatment of anaphylaxis. Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-2604

Optometrists may prescribe Schedules III-V controlled substance. Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-2604(2)

The Department of Health may authorize an unsupervised dental hygienist to provide services in a public health setting or a health care or related facility without a collaborative agreement. The dental hygienists must meet experience requirements and have professional liability insurance. Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-1130

Statute does not identify dental therapists as an oral health provider.

Nebraska does not explicitly allow for the practice of teledentistry.

Nebraska has not enacted legislation allowing pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. However, the federal PREP Act does allow pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine through the duration of the public health emergency.

Nebraska does not allow pharmacists to modify prescriptions.

Nebraska does not allow pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives.

Nebraska does not allow pharmacists to prescribe tobacco cessation aids.

Supervision by a physician required for practice and prescriptive authority.

A PA may perform medical services that are delegated by and provided under the supervision of a licensed physician and are appropriate to the level of education, experience and training of the physician assistant. NEB. REV. STAT. § 38-2047(1),(3),(4),(5)

A PA, under a collaborative agreement with a supervising physician, may prescribe drugs and devices. (2) All such prescriptions and prescription container labels shall bear the name of the physician assistant. A PA who prescribes controlled substances listed in Schedule II, III, IV or V of section 28-405 shall obtain a federal Drug Enforcement Administration registration number. NEB. REV. STAT. § 38-2055

Statute limits the number of PAs a physician may supervise.

A supervising physician may supervise no more than four PAs at any one time. NEB. REV. STAT. § 38-2050(4)

Nebraska does not currently have any provisions related to chart review and co-signatures.

Statute allows adaptable proximity.

Supervision means the ready availability of the supervising physician for consultation and collaboration on the activities of the PA. NEB. REV. STAT. § 38-2018

A PA may perform medical services delegated by the supervising physician and appropriate to the PA’s level of competence. The scope of practice is determined between the PA and the physician. Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-2055