Mo. Rev. Stat. § 376.1575: Definitions.

As used in sections 376.1575 to 376.1580*, the following terms shall mean:

(1) "Completed application" , a practitioner's application to a health carrier that seeks the health carrier's authorization for the practitioner to provide patient care services as a member of the health carrier's network and does not omit any information which is clearly required by the application form and the accompanying instructions;

(2) "Credentialing" , a health carrier's process of assessing and validating the qualifications of a practitioner to provide patient care services and act as a member of the health carrier's provider network;

(3) "Health carrier" , the same meaning as such term is defined in section 376.1350. The term health carrier shall also include any entity described in subdivision (4) of section 354.700;

(4) "Practitioner" :

(a) A physician or physician assistant eligible to provide treatment services under chapter 334;

(b) A pharmacist eligible to provide services under chapter 338;

(c) A dentist eligible to provide services under chapter 332;

(d) A chiropractor eligible to provide services under chapter 331;

(e) An optometrist eligible to provide services under chapter 336;

(f) A podiatrist eligible to provide services under chapter 330;

(g) A psychologist or licensed clinical social worker eligible to provide services under chapter 337; or

(h) An advanced practice nurse eligible to provide services under chapter 335.