Expert Collaborating Physicians.

State practice and licensure laws permit all NPs to evaluate patients; diagnose, order and interpret diagnostic tests; and initiate and manage treatments, including prescribing medications and controlled substances, under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing. This is the model recommended by the National Academy of Medicine, formerly called the Institute of Medicine, and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

State practice and licensure laws reduce the ability of NPs to engage in at least one element of NP practice. State law requires a career-long regulated collaborative agreement with another health provider in order for the NP to provide patient care, or it limits the setting of one or more elements of NP practice.

State practice and licensure laws restrict the ability of NPs to engage in at least one element of NP practice. State law requires career-long supervision, delegation or team management by another health provider in order for the NP to provide patient care.

What is a collaborating physician?

A collaborating physician (also called a collaborative physician or collaborating MD) is a licensed doctor who enters into a formal practice agreement with a nurse practitioner or physician assistant. The collaborating doctor provides supervision, protocol approval, and chart review as required by state law.

Do nurse practitioners need a collaborating physician?

In non-Full Practice Authority states, yes. Most NPs and PAs are required by state law to have a collaborating physician for NP/PA practice agreements, prescriptive authority, and chart reviews. Requirements vary by state.

What do collaborating physician services include?

Our collaborating physician services include a state-compliant collaborative agreement, the required percentage of chart reviews, protocol approvals, prescriptive oversight, and ongoing access to collaborating doctors for clinical questions.

How quickly can I match with a collaborating MD?

Most clients are matched with a collaborating MD within a few business days. Our network of collaborating doctors covers every state that requires a collaborative physician relationship.

What types of providers can your physicians collaborate with (NP, PA, etc.)?

Our collaborating physicians support a wide range of licensed mid-level providers, including Nurse Practitioners (NPs), Physician Assistants (PAs), and in some cases Registered Nurses (RNs) under standing orders (state-dependent). We align the collaboration structure with both state laws and the scope of services offered by your team.

Are your collaborating physicians licensed in multiple states?

Yes. Many of our physicians hold multi-state licenses and are available to support practices across multiple locations or telehealth platforms. If your state has specific licensure or proximity requirements, we'll ensure proper alignment or source a physician accordingly.

Do you provide written collaboration agreements and assistance with filing requirements?

Absolutely. We draft and execute state-compliant collaboration agreements, tailored to your practice type and provider roles. We also assist with any state filings, board notifications, or documentation submissions required for compliance.

How often does the collaborating physician need to meet or communicate with the mid-level provider?

This varies by state and provider type. In general, our collaborating physicians conduct regular virtual or in-person meetings (monthly or quarterly, as required), remain accessible for consultation, clinical questions, and case escalations, and provide chart reviews and oversight based on regulatory mandates. We ensure the required touch-points are built into the agreement and tracked appropriately.

Can you support practices that operate fully remote or via telehealth?

Yes. We have extensive experience supporting fully remote and telehealth-based practices. Our collaborating physicians can oversee virtual care models, including prescribing protocols, documentation reviews, and workflow design, while maintaining full compliance with state telehealth laws.

Do your physicians meet state-specific rules for chart reviews, supervision, or distance radius requirements?

Yes. We ensure each collaborating physician meets all state-specific regulations, including required frequency of chart reviews, in-person or virtual supervision protocols, and geographic proximity requirements if applicable (some states require supervising physicians to be within a certain mileage of the provider). Our team stays up to date with evolving state laws and ensures your collaboration remains compliant at all times.

Can your collaborating physicians help with prescribing protocols (e.g., weight loss, HRT, IV)?

Yes. Our physicians are experienced in overseeing a variety of treatment protocols, including medical weight loss (e.g., GLP-1s like semaglutide), hormone replacement therapy (HRT), IV hydration and vitamin therapy, and peptides, aesthetics, and other wellness treatments. We provide support with protocol development, delegation models, and clinical oversight to ensure safe, compliant prescribing.