Which of the following is not a type of provider?

In the context of healthcare and regulatory practices, identifying the types of providers is crucial for understanding how services are delivered and reimbursed. Examining the chosen answer reveals that administrative providers do not fit into the classification of healthcare service providers that directly give patient care.

Physician extenders refer to healthcare professionals who provide a range of services under the supervision of a physician, such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants. They play a pivotal role in expanding patient access to care and assisting physicians in delivering treatment.

Participating providers are healthcare practitioners who have agreed to provide services to patients under specific insurance plans, often accepting negotiated rates for services. This participation is essential for insurance networks and affects cost-sharing for patients.

Non-participating providers, on the other hand, are healthcare providers who do not have a contract with a specific insurance plan. They can deliver medical services, but patients may face higher costs when seeing these providers since they do not agree to the discounted rates usually offered by participating providers.

In contrast, administrative providers do not directly engage in clinical care. Their roles primarily involve tasks related to the management and operation of healthcare facilities, such as billing, coding, and compliance—functions that support but do not constitute direct patient care. Recognizing this distinction is vital,