What type of billing requires a physician to remain actively involved in ongoing care for services billed?

The correct answer is incident to billing. This type of billing allows non-physician practitioners, such as nurse practitioners or physician assistants, to provide services under the billing umbrella of a supervising physician. For incident to billing to apply, the physician must be actively involved in the patient’s care, which means they should have established a plan of care, must be available for direct supervision, and continue to oversee the overall treatment of the patient.

This requirement ensures that the physician maintains responsibility for the patient's ongoing care and treatment, reinforcing the collaborative nature of healthcare delivery. Proper documentation of the physician’s involvement and a clear plan of care are critical components for successful incident to billing, as they validate the continuity of care provided under the physician's supervision. If these criteria are not met, the services cannot be billed in this manner.

The other types of billing do not necessitate this level of ongoing physician involvement. For instance, technical component billing refers to the billing of diagnostic tests or services that are provided in a facility setting, which does not require direct supervision from a physician. Assignment billing typically pertains to agreements between providers and payers regarding who receives payment for services without the same level of direct supervision required. Assistant billing involves services provided by assistants in surgical or procedural settings