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My physician is cancelling out a day for personal reason however this leaves only the APRN to see patients that day. My understanding of CMS guidelines is the Dr. must be in the office or immediately available to perform care if necessary. HELP.
From what I understand, for Incident-To Services, one of the five criterias is that the physician must be under direct supervision (in suite and immediately available).
This is set forth by Medicare and most commercial carriers follow this.
Looking at my notes and handouts that I received at the CE I took, services of non-physician practitioners may bill services as "incident-to" providing the criterias are met (one of them being physician in suite).
If it's not being billed as incident-to, I don't have an answer.
If she is credentialed with Medicare on her own, she can bill under her own NPI without a physician in the office suite, unless it is not in the scope of her practice according to your state.
So, be sure to check what your state allows; you would also have to make sure she is credentialed to bill your other insurance carriers before booking any of their patients with her.