CMS SOM App. A, Tag A-0064

§482.12(c)(1) Every Medicare patient is under the care of:

(i) A doctor of medicine or osteopathy. (This provision is not to be construed to limit

the authority of a doctor of medicine or osteopathy to delegate tasks to other qualified

health care personnel to the extent recognized under State law or a State’s regulatory

mechanism.);

(ii) A doctor of dental surgery or dental medicine who is legally authorized to practice

dentistry by the State and who is acting within the scope of his or her license;

(iii)A doctor of podiatric medicine, but only with respect to functions which he or she is

legally authorized by the State to perform;

(iv) A doctor of optometry who is legally authorized to practice optometry by the State

in which he or she practices;

(v) A chiropractor who is licensed by the State or legally authorized to perform the

services of a chiropractor, but only with respect to treatment by means of manual

manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation demonstrated by x-ray to exist; and

(vi) A clinical psychologist as defined in §410.71 of this chapter, but only with respect to

clinical psychologist services as defined in §410.71 of this chapter and only to the extent

permitted by State law.

Interpretive Guidelines §482.12(c)(1)

Practitioners other than doctors of medicine or osteopathy may join the medical staff if the practitioners

are appropriately licensed and medical staff membership is in accordance with State law.

Every Medicare or Medicaid patient must be under the care of a licensed practitioner as defined in this

requirement.

Survey Procedures §482.12(c)(1)

Verify that Medicare patients are under the care of a licensed practitioner as defined by (c)(1).