(a) Services provided by a certified nurse practitioner shall be covered under this chapter to the extent authorized by federal law, and subject to utilization controls. The department shall permit a certified nurse practitioner to bill Medi-Cal independently for his or her services. If a certified nurse practitioner chooses to bill Medi-Cal independently for his or her services, the department shall make payment directly to the certified nurse practitioner.
(b) For purposes of this section, “certified” means nationally board certified in a recognized specialty.