The nurse practitioner provides some care previously offered only by physicians. Education for nurse practitioners includes advanced nursing and selected medical studies as well as intensive clinical experience specific to the nurse practitioner's area of practice.
Nurse practitioners practice under rules and regulations developed by state boards of nursing.
In addition, nurse practitioners may be nationally certified. In most states, nurse practitioners have authority to prescribe medications. Many insurance programs now pay for the services of nurse practitioners. The type of insurance you have will determine what types of services are covered. Some health services are not reimbursable regardless of whether they are provided by a nurse practitioner or a physician.