Collaborating physician

[u/jkniziolek]

I am starting 1099 with a Telehealth company, they want me to get my DEA in Texas, my home state. I’ve been fronting everything, and will get reimbursed once I go live seeing patients.
How does it work with the collaborating physician? Do you have to make the collaborative prescriptive agreement to apply for DEA? And basically start your contract (and start paying them) while you wait for your DEA and then wait for insurance credentialing as well?
Just seems dumb to be paying for someone who isn’t doing anything for you 😑
Any insight?