Request By:
J. Fox DeMoisey, Esq.
Kentucky State Board
of Medical Licensure
3532 Ephraim McDowell Drive
Louisville, Kentucky 40205
Opinion
Opinion By: Steven L. Beshear, Attorney General; K. Gail Leeco, Assistant Attorney General
You have requested an opinion as to whether "Paramedics" regulated under KRS 311.650 to 311.658 and Emergency Medical Technicians, regulated under KRS 211.960 to 211.968, may give physical examinations for the purpose of the individual obtaining insurance, usually life insurance. In our opinion, they may not.
The services which a paramedic may perform are strictly restricted to emergency situations under KRS 311.658. A physical for the purposes of obtaining insurance cannot be considered an emergency situation. A paramedic may not perform such a service.
The services of an Emergency Medical Technician are similarly limited. As the name implies, the technician is certified to render "emergency" medical service. Under the regulations relating to Emergency Medical Technicians, "emergency" is clearly defined:
'Emergency situation' means an unforeseen circumstance or combination of circumstances, regardless of place of occurrence, requiring immediate and continued medical response and intervention to safeguard the life or physical well-being of any patient;
902 KAR 13:010(6)
A physical for the purposes of obtaining life insurance does not fall within the definition of emergency situations. An Emergency Medical Technician may not perform such physicals.