Inpatient Facility Coding & Compliance Alert

Question: Our inpatient rehab department wants to use "physician extenders" to approve preadmission screenings, perform admission evaluations, and be part of team meetings. I'm not even sure what a physician extender is. Can we allow this?
Answer: A physician extender is a healthcare provider who isn't a physician, but who performs some medical activities typically performed by a physician. Nurse practitioners or physician assistants are the most common professionals used as physician extenders.
You're smart to question whether using extenders in this capacity is allowed, instead of assuming you would still be compliant. Some MACs have general guidelines regarding the use of physician extenders, but others outline specific criteria. Ask for written guidance from your contractor clarifying tasks the physician extender can participate in – and which ones he or she can't – before instituting the program.