October 3, 2019

Question:
The surgeon I work with has a question regarding billing. Some of the hospitals in the area have a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant on staff that see the ENT consults for us.  My ENT will see the consult patient too. The mid-level writes the note but my doctor goes in afterwards and attests to the note and signs off. Is he still able to bill for the consult?

Answer:
No, the otolaryngologist may not bill for what the hospital-employed PA/NP does and documents.  Rather, the otolaryngologist will bill for the service that s/he personally performs and documents.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 10/03/19.