From time to time questions arise as to who the government and insurance companies identify as a family member of a 
physician. These regulations affect who a physician may submit a bill for to a government agency, and issues relating to Stark Regulations and conflict of interest.
In addition to billing and potential conflict of interest matters, there are of course ethical and practice issues related to treatment of someone close, particularly for serious health problems.
The links below may be helpful in sorting it all out.
First, the AMA Guidelines regarding Self Treatment or the Treatment of Immediate Family Members:
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/8510.html
Physicians generally should not treat themselves or members of their immediate families. Professional objectivity may be compromised when an immediate family member or the physician is the patient...
Secondly, the language of the US Code, Title 42, Chapter 7, Sec. 1320a-7, par ( j )
http://www.washingtonwatchdog.org/documents/
usc/ttl42/ch7/subchXI/ptA/sec1320a-7.html
j) Definition of immediate family member and member of household
For purposes of subsection (b)(8)(A)(iii) of this section:
(1) The term ''immediate family member'' means, with respect to a person -
(A) the husband or wife of the person;
(B) the natural or adoptive parent, child, or sibling of the person;
(C) the stepparent, stepchild, stepbrother, or stepsister of the person;
(D) the father-, mother-, daughter-, son-, brother-, or sister-in-law of the person;
(E) the grandparent or grandchild of the person; and
(F) the spouse of a grandparent or grandchild of the person.
(2) The term ''member of the household'' means, with respect to any person, any individual sharing a common abode as part of a single family unit with the person, including domestic employees and others who live together as a family unit, but not including a roomer or boarder.
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