What does billing "incident to" imply?

Billing "incident to" refers to the provision of services by a non-physician clinician, such as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant, who delivers care under the supervision of a physician. This billing practice allows the physician to bill for the services as if they were their own, provided that certain criteria are met.

For a service to qualify for "incident to" billing, it generally must be part of a patient's ongoing treatment plan established by the supervising physician. The physician must also be present in the office or facility when the services are provided, ensuring effective oversight. This arrangement supports continuity of care and expands access to services within a healthcare practice, streamlining the process for reimbursement and incentivizing collaborative care.

The other choices refer to different circumstances that do not accurately capture the essence of "incident to" billing. Services performed at the scene of an accident pertain to emergency care, while references to a global period and billing by a second physician relate to other billing structures and considerations in healthcare compliance.