What is the purpose of "incident to" billing?

The purpose of "incident to" billing is primarily to ensure that non-physician providers, such as nurse practitioners or physician assistants, can bill for services under the physician's National Provider Identifier (NPI) and receive full reimbursement at the physician's rate. This arrangement allows for the inclusion of services provided by these non-physicians as part of a patient's ongoing care while still being associated with a physician's practice.

This billing mechanism is particularly beneficial in enhancing the efficiency of care delivery, as it encourages collaboration between physicians and non-physician providers. It also serves to legally structure the contributions of non-physician providers in a way that fully compensates them for their services, fostering a more integrated approach to patient care.

The other choices are not representative of the primary intent of "incident to" billing. For example, "incident to" billing does not specifically pertain to inpatient services or a reduced rate for new patient visits, nor does it allow billing without physician oversight; it is contingent on the presence of a supervising physician and the establishment of a treatment plan by that physician.