(a) Rural areas. For services furnished beginning January 1, 1992 and ending December 31, 1997, allowed amounts for the services of a nurse practitioner or a clinical nurse specialist in a rural area (as described in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(iii) of the Act) may not exceed the following limits:

(1) For services furnished in a hospital (including assistant-at-surgery services), 75 percent of the physician fee schedule amount for the service.

(2) For all other services, 85 percent of the physician fee schedule amount for the service.

(b) Non-rural areas. For services furnished beginning January 1, 1992 and ending December 31, 1997, allowed amounts for the services of a nurse practitioner or a clinical nurse specialist in a nursing facility may not exceed 85 percent of the physician fee schedule amount for the service.

(c) Beginning January 1, 1998. For services (other than assistant-at-surgery services) furnished beginning January 1, 1998, allowed amounts for the services of a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist may not exceed 85 percent of the physician fee schedule amount for the service. For assistant-at-surgery services, allowed amounts for the services of a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist may not exceed 85 percent of the physician fee schedule amount that would be allowed under the physician fee schedule if the assistant-at-surgery service were furnished by a physician.

[63 FR 58911, Nov. 2, 1998]