READER QUESTION: Straight From the Listserve--Nail Down Supervision Levels

Why This Topic Matters

Understanding supervision indicators helps practices respond to payer questions, document diagnostic testing appropriately, and avoid compliance problems when services are performed outside the hospital setting.

Article Sections

1. Question

   Introduces a payer inquiry about supervision for a diagnostic imaging service performed in an office-based setting.

2. Answer

   Explains the Medicare physician fee schedule supervision indicator framework and notes the settings where it applies.

3. Level 0 or 09

   Discusses a supervision category for services that are not subject to supervision requirements.

4. Level 01

   Covers the general supervision category and its broad meaning in the diagnostic test context.

5. Level 02

   Covers the direct supervision category and describes the physician presence requirement at a high level.

6. Level 03

   Covers the personal supervision category and its basic staffing presence requirement.

7. Level 06

   Describes a supervision category tied to performance by a physician or a certified physical therapist.

8. Listserve information

   Provides information about the article’s related discussion listserve and membership resource.