What the definition of a Health Care Provider?

Answer 1

Health Care Providers are traditionally the medical professionals who perform the medical history and the physical exam, order the tests to evaluate the medical problem, if needed, and prescribe a course of treatment. They have the authority to write prescriptions and make referrals or consultations to other providers. Finally, they are the ones to whom you or the insurance company are making payments. In the US, they are physicians (which includes surgeons, psychiatrists and all of the other specialties which are denoted by MD or DO), PA's (physician assistants) and ARNP's (Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners)
HCP's also include psychologists, homeopaths/naturopaths, practitioners of chinese medicine but these may or may not meet strict insurance definitions of HCP's. Chiropractors are HCP's of their limited scope of practice which does NOT include the authority to write prescriptions.
Health Care Providers do not include pharmacists,RN's, LPN's, other nurses, medical assistants, lab or xray tech, physical or occupational therapists, phlebotomists or any of the other ancillary or support medical personnel. Of course, that in no way minimizes their role and contribution to the art and practice of medicine. It's simply that they are usually the ones to carry out the HCP's treatment plan rather than the ones who are initiating the plan.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

The service which actually delivers health care as opposed to commissioners who decide what service is needed and provide the finance.

Edited Comment: UK context in terms of NHS jargon

Answer 4

It's the hospital or doctor that you're going to.