Collaborating physicians for nurse practitioners
The Partnership Behind Your Practice
Match with a collaborating physician in 7 days or less! Plus, receive ongoing compliance support from your dedicated team of Guardian specialists.
Find a collaborating physician
A complete collaboration relationship
More than a collaborating physician match
GuardianMD helps nurse practitioners and physician assistants establish and maintain a collaboration relationship, with physician matching, documentation, ongoing support, and compliance workflows brought together in one coordinated service.
Physician matching
Get matched based on your state, specialty, scope of practice, and collaboration needs.
Relationship setup
Receive support with onboarding, agreements, documentation, and applicable board processes.
Ongoing support
Communicate with your physician and receive continuity support as your practice evolves.
Compliance platform
Organize protocols, chart reviews, licenses, agreements, and relationship documentation.
Why providers choose GuardianMD
★★★★★
“Guardian was very helpful in finding me a collaborating physician. They were especially helpful, since my state has some challenges with specific rules on who can collaborate. They promptly addressed the issued so that I could get on track to submit all necessary paperwork to the state. They were also quick to respond to any concerns. The communication was amazing!!! Thank you!!!!”
Harmony R.
★★★★★
“I love that everything has been smooth with my collaborative physician. The company is very responsive and I have been able to set up my practice very easily with their help. If you are looking for a medical director / collaborative physician, look no further!”
Adeola A.
★★★★★
“Very fast and considerate responses to questions. So happy that Guardian offers an easy path to obtain a physician collaborator. They also have great form templates for those just starting in practice. I recommend this service to all nurse practitioners.”
Kellie H.
Fast, compliant physician matching in all 50 states
GuardianMD pairs nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and clinics with collaborating physicians across a wide range of specialties, each licensed and verified in your state. Whether you’re launching a new practice or replacing your current collaborating physician, we make the match quickly and provide remote oversight with physician access through DocTalk. Our dedicated compliance management team supports you at every step so your practice stays aligned with your state’s requirements.
Everything included with GuardianMD physician collaboration
Collaborating physician matching
Collaborating physician malpractice insurance
State-specific collaborative agreement
Collaborating physician fees included
Chart reviews
Unlimited patients
Physician-approved clinical protocols
DocTalk physician communication
GuardianMD Connect telemedicine platform
How GuardianMD’s collaborating physician program works
GuardianMD streamlines the process of finding and partnering with a collaborating physician. We provide the oversight so you can confidently provide the patient care.
01
Submit your info
Book a discovery call with one of our account executives and tell us about your practice, location, scope of care, and patient volume. The more detail you provide, the more precisely we can match you with a physician whose specialty, licensure, and oversight style align with your clinic’s needs and state regulations.
02
Get matched quickly
Our team reviews your information and pairs you with a fully licensed, vetted collaborating physician—often within 7 days. Each match is made based on clinical fit, compliance requirements, and your operational needs, so you can onboard smoothly and start delivering care without delays.
03
Ongoing support
Once matched, you’re supported year-round with compliance updates, documentation standards, agreement renewals, and clear oversight workflows. We monitor regulatory changes, keep your physician engaged and covered, and help your clinic stay compliant as you grow.
Why nurse practitioners trust GuardianMD
Fast matching
We connect you with a vetted, licensed collaborating physician in days—not weeks. Our nationwide network ensures fast placement so your clinic never stalls waiting for oversight.
Compliant structure
Every relationship is built on a fully compliant foundation, including proper agreements, documentation standards, chart review requirements, and CPOM-appropriate structuring. No handshake deals. No shortcuts. Just safe, defensible collaboration.
End-to-end support
From initial setup to yearly renewals, chart review workflows, and regulatory updates, we manage the details so you can focus on patient care. Your physician stays supported, and your clinic stays protected.
Flexible options
Whether you’re a solo NP, a growing medspa, or a multi-location brand, we offer collaboration models that fit your practice type, patient volume, and budget — without tying you into rigid or inflated tiers.
Dedicated compliance experts
Our team monitors state laws, board regulations, and telemedicine requirements so you always have up-to-date guidance. We’re here when you need clarity — and we stand with you if your clinic ever faces an audit or board review.
Find a collaborating physician with GuardianMD
Your dedicated Guardian team: the experts behind your practice’s success
Physician collaboration with GuardianMD goes beyond matching you with a doctor. Every nurse practitioner has a team of Guardians they can rely on for compliance support so they can focus on providing patient care.
Plus, monthly webinars are available exclusively for GuardianMD practices to discuss new regulations, services, and how to adapt to the evolving healthcare landscape.
Empowering nurse practitioners to grow with confidence
Easily manage your medical oversight, compliance, chart reviews, and protocols using the HIPAA-compliant GuardianMD platform. Your Guardian team has designed an experience to get your practice up and running quickly with dedicated customer experience specialists, compliance specialists, and a clinical team.
Find a collaborating physicianNeed help setting up a healthcare MSO?
From structuring agreements to compliance support, GuardianMD helps you build a solid foundation.
Talk with a specialistFrequently asked questions
What is a collaborating physician, and do NPs or PAs need one?
A collaborating physician is a licensed physician who participates in a documented professional relationship with a clinician, which may include consultation, chart reviews, and agreement responsibilities. Nurse practitioner requirements depend on state law and eligibility for independent practice. Physician assistant arrangements may involve collaboration, supervision, or another state-defined relationship. GuardianMD helps NPs and PAs identify physician support appropriate to their professional role, state, and clinical services.
What is the difference between a collaborating physician and a medical director?
A collaborating or supervising physician supports an individual nurse practitioner or physician assistant relationship where required by state law. A medical director supports clinic-level clinical governance, protocols, and quality processes. A practice may need one or both sets of responsibilities. The same qualified physician may serve both roles where permitted, with duties documented for each arrangement. GuardianMD supports both relationships according to the practice’s services, staffing, and state requirements. Learn more in Medical Director vs. Collaborating Physician: What’s the Difference?
How can I find a collaborating physician through GuardianMD, and how long does matching take?
To find a collaborating physician through GuardianMD, share your practice’s state, professional role, specialty, clinical services, and physician-support needs with the team. GuardianMD typically matches eligible NPs and PAs within seven days, depending on state requirements, specialty, and physician availability. The team helps organize the relationship and onboarding workflows. A match alone does not authorize practice; required agreements, filings, approvals, protocols, and other applicable steps must also be completed.
Will my GuardianMD collaborating physician be licensed in my state and qualified for my specialty?
GuardianMD matches clinicians with a collaborating or supervising physician licensed in the state where the relationship is required and reviews the physician’s qualifications for the proposed services. Specialty requests, patient population, clinical scope, and applicable physician-eligibility requirements inform the match. Options depend on physician qualifications and availability; a specialty request does not guarantee a particular match. For clinicians practicing in multiple states, the physician arrangement must be reviewed for each jurisdiction.
Does GuardianMD help with state-specific collaborative practice agreements?
GuardianMD supports the preparation and organization of collaborative practice agreements or other applicable supervision documentation based on the clinician’s state, professional role, and services. The documentation addresses responsibilities such as physician consultation, communication, and chart-review workflows. Required signatures, filings, approvals, and any necessary legal review must also be completed. GuardianMD can help update relationship documentation when applicable requirements or practice needs change.
How does GuardianMD support chart reviews, physician communication, and ongoing collaboration?
GuardianMD helps organize chart-review activity, physician communication, and relationship records through its platform. DocTalk, GuardianMD’s secure communication hub, connects you with your collaborating physician and keeps clinical questions and physician guidance on the record. Review frequency, required documentation, and physician availability depend on state requirements and the documented relationship. Available agreements, protocols, DocTalk communication records, and review activity can support internal reviews or board inquiries. GuardianMD support can help address relationship concerns and discuss replacement options when appropriate. The clinician and physician remain responsible for clinical decisions and their professional duties; cancellation and transition terms depend on the service agreement.
Does collaborating physician malpractice insurance cover the NP, PA, or clinic?
GuardianMD pays for the malpractice insurance of the collaborating or supervising physician providing oversight. That policy covers the physician under its terms. GuardianMD does not pay for or provide malpractice insurance for the nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses, or clinics receiving oversight, so clinicians and businesses need their own appropriate coverage.
What’s included with GuardianMD physician collaboration?
GuardianMD physician collaboration includes collaborating physician matching, typically within seven days; the collaborating physician’s fees; the collaborating physician’s malpractice insurance, paid by GuardianMD; a state-specific collaborative practice agreement; chart reviews; protocols; DocTalk for documented physician communication; and access to GuardianMD Connect for clearance exams, with a separate fee per exam. There are no setup fees or patient limits. Pricing depends on your state, professional role, specialty, and services, so contact GuardianMD for a quote.