Non-physicians take on growing role in medicine [KY]
"Nurse practitioners, as well as physician assistants, are a fast-growing part of the medical marketplace, providing care some people associate more often with doctors, a USA TODAY analysis of federal data found.
Medicare billing records show 15 percent more nurse practitioners and 11 percent more physician assistants received payments in 2013 than in 2012 for all types of care, including high-level procedures such as electrocardiograms, pelvic exams and even helping with heart bypasses. During that same year, the number of general practice physicians paid by the insurance program for the elderly and disabled dropped 5 percent.
Experts say this reflects the rising influence of non-physicians in a changing health care system long beset by doctor shortages and now taxed even more by a growing number of patients gaining insurance through the Affordable Care Act. And it shines light on types of care that nurse practitioners and physician assistants have been providing for many years — until now, largely under the radar."