How is satellite location approval completed in SBOM?

• A. Must outline provision for direct communication between PA and physician
• B. PA must work in primary DO's office for two years
• C. Distance must be at least 50 miles
• D. Satellite must have its own license

Answer: (A)

The main idea is securing proper supervision at satellite practice sites by detailing how the PA and supervising physician stay in direct contact. When a PA works away from the main office, the supervising physician must be able to provide real-time guidance and oversight to ensure safe, appropriate patient care. The approval typically requires a documented plan that outlines how direct communication will occur—such as real-time phone calls, secure messaging, or telemedicine—so the physician can review and authorize orders, discuss cases, and intervene as needed. This clarity helps define who is responsible for decisions, how quickly the physician can be reached, and how care updates are communicated, which is essential for regulatory compliance and patient safety.

Other options aren’t generally the basis for satellite approval. A requirement to work two years in a DO’s office isn’t a standard supervisory condition, nor is a fixed distance like 50 miles a universal rule. Requiring the satellite to have its own separate license isn’t typically necessary when the PA operates under the supervising physician’s license with an explicit supervision plan.