A. General

Physician means doctor of medicine, doctor of osteopathy (including osteopathic practitioner), doctor of dental surgery or dental medicine (within the limitations in C.), doctor of podiatric medicine (within the limitations in D.), or doctor of optometry (within the limitations of F.), or a chiropractor (within the limits of G.), legally authorized to practice by a State in which the individual performs this function. The services performed by a physician within these definitions are subject to any limitations imposed by the State on the scope of practice.

In all States, the issuance by the State of a license to practice medicine constitutes legal authorization. Temporary State licenses also constitute legal authorization to practice medicine. If State law authorizes local political subdivisions to establish higher standards for medical practitioners than those set by the State licensing board, such local standards will be issued in determining whether a particular physician has legal authorization. If State licensing law limits the scope of practice of a particular type of medical practitioner, only the services within these limitations will be covered.

NOTE:

The term “physician” does not include such practitioners as a Christian Science practitioner, or naturopath.