Wiki Incident-To for Behavioral Health

[LeaHarris]

Does anyone know if an MD can oversee an LPC as an Incident To visit? Or must the LPC be overseen by another licensed behavior health specialist, such as an LCSW?

Thanks,
Lea

 

[lbouz]

In most circumstances, incident to is not recommended or worth the risk. Compliance is challenging and many commercial payers do not allow it anyway if you read payer policies. I always recommend practices credential all providers and have them provide services and bill under their own license within their scope of practice.

Regarding your question, an MD cannot oversee a provider who is providing care that is not within their scope of service. A psychiatrist with training in psychotherapy could in theory have an LPC work incident to, a physician who does not have training in psychotherapy may not.