What does the term "incident-to" services refer to in a medical practice?

The term "incident-to" services refers specifically to services that are furnished in a medical practice as a complement to a physician's professional services. These services are typically provided by non-physician staff members, such as nurse practitioners or physician assistants, but they must meet certain criteria to be billed under the physician's National Provider Identifier (NPI). One key requirement is that the services must be part of a plan of care established by the supervising physician, and the physician must be physically present in the office suite when these services are provided.

This framework allows the practice to bill for these services at the same rate as if they were provided by the physician, which can improve revenue and patient care access. The "incident-to" regulations are crucial for ensuring that these services are integral to the physician’s overall treatment and reflect a collaborative care approach while maintaining the quality and oversight expected in a physician-led practice.

Although the other choices mention various aspects of medical services, they do not capture the essence of "incident-to" services, which hinges on the supervisory relationship and the care plan established by the physician.