Don’t get too creative with 60-day locum tenens limit

Why This Topic Matters

Practices that rely on temporary physician coverage need to understand Medicare’s locum tenens framework to avoid billing problems, claim denials, and audit exposure. The article is relevant to organizations managing physician absences, staffing transitions, and compliance with Medicare claims processing rules.

Article Sections

1. Locum tenens background and the 60-day issue

   Introduces locum tenens coverage in physician practices and explains why extended absences create a compliance issue under Medicare policy.

2. CMS clarification and carrier/audit concerns

   Summarizes CMS clarification on using locum coverage over longer time periods and notes the compliance and audit considerations raised by consultants.

3. Alternative approach: credentialing the locum

   Discusses an alternative staffing approach when longer coverage is anticipated and outlines general administrative constraints tied to that option.

4. Official resources

   Lists referenced Medicare and educational resources for further review.

5. CMS Q&As: Locum time limit; using locum to replace a departed physician

   Presents CMS responses to common practice questions about extended locum arrangements and billing scenarios involving a physician’s departure.

6. Quick review of Medicare's locum rules

   Provides a high-level recap of Medicare locum tenens billing requirements, documentation, and related claims-processing references.