A ____ physician is a physician or non-physician who requests an item or service for a beneficiary such as a consultation, surgery, diagnostic testing, or durable medical equipment and whose name goes in block 17 of the claim form.

Question

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A referring physician is the physician who requests a service or item for a beneficiary and is responsible for initiating and coordinating the beneficiary's care with other providers. Their name goes in block 17 of the claim form, which is specifically for the referring provider. Consultation or treating physicians may also be involved in the beneficiary's care, but the referring physician is the one who initially requested the service or item. Covering physician refers to a physician who temporarily takes over the care of a patient from the patient's primary physician, usually due to absence or unavailability.

A ____ Physician Is a Physician or Non-Physician Who Requests