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

Why This Topic Matters

Practices use locum tenens arrangements to maintain access to care during physician absences, but extended coverage can create billing, enrollment, and audit-risk concerns. Understanding the scope of CMS guidance helps practices evaluate whether a locum arrangement fits Medicare policy and operational needs.

Article Sections

1. Locum tenens use in physician practices

   Introduces why practices may use temporary substitute physicians and how staffing gaps can intersect with Medicare enrollment and billing requirements.

2. Concerns about extending the 60-day period

   Discusses how longer physician absences, carrier scrutiny, and audit risk can arise when locum coverage extends beyond the usual timeframe.

3. An alternative: Get the locum credentialed

   Describes another approach practices may consider when a longer-term staffing need is anticipated and outlines general limits associated with that approach.

4. Official resources

   Points readers to Medicare and DecisionHealth reference materials cited by the article.

5. Quick review of Medicare's locum rules

   Summarizes Medicare policy topics covered in the article, including billing mechanics for physician groups and claims documentation references.

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

   Presents CMS responses to common questions about extended locum coverage and how practices should think about replacement arrangements when a physician leaves or remains absent longer than expected.