Medical staff member who is legally and primarily responsible for the medical care and treatment given to a patient and who would normally be expected to certify and recertify the medical necessity of the number of services rendered for the patient’s care while in the hospital. An attending physician who has a patient admitted to the hospital may be referred to as the admitting physician.

Form that, when completed, provides the insurance company with information about the patient’s injury or illness, diagnosis, and treatment. An APS form is completed when the insurance company requests information to decide whether to insure an individual or, if insured, when settling an insurance claim.