Billing for radiologist supervising a PA performing a radiology procedure

Q.

If my radiologist supervises a physician assistant (PA) performing a procedure in the radiology department of the hospital, and signs off on the report, can the radiologist bill the procedure under his name? 

A.

For Medicare, no, the physician assistant would have to bill under his or her own name and NPI number – assuming the procedure and billing is allowed under state scope of practice. The physician cannot bill for a procedure he or she did not perform when it is performed at a hospital. This would be allowed in the office if “incident to” rules are met, but not in the hospital. 

For other insurances, you will need to check their individual physician assistant policies.