Wiki PA or NP consults

[lpick]

Help. I work for nine cardiologists and we have 1 PA and 1 NP. Can they do a new pt consult or does the physician have to do initial consult?? (what about incident to rule) Please help!!!!!

 

[dclark7]

If it is within their scope of practice (as defined by state law), then yes they can see new patients and do consults. These would be billed under the PA or NP's NPI number, not the physician's and incident to rules do not apply. Any subsequent visits to the NP or PA would be billed under their number unless the physician saw the patient and developed a treatment plan. It is important to check your state laws for scope of practice (what they can legally do in your state) prior to scheduling or billing these.