Medicare General Information, Eligibility and Entitlement Manual (Pub. 100-01), Ch. 5 § 70.1
Doctors of Medicine and Osteopathy
70.1 - Doctors of Medicine and Osteopathy
(Rev. 1, 09-11-02)
The requirement that a doctor of medicine be legally authorized to practice medicine and
surgery by the State in which he/she performs his/her services means a physician is
licensed to practice medicine and surgery.
A doctor of osteopathy who is legally authorized to practice medicine and surgery by the
State in which he/she performs his/her services qualifies as a physician. In addition, a
licensed osteopath or osteopathic practitioner qualifies as a physician to the extent that
he/she performs services within the scope of his/her practice as defined by State law.