4 tips on billing arrangements to use when physicians are away

Why This Topic Matters

Choosing the wrong coverage arrangement can create billing and compliance problems, while the right setup helps practices maintain continuity of care and cleaner documentation.

Article Sections

1. Coverage by another physician in your practice

   Discusses in-house coverage when a physician is away briefly and the general administrative considerations involved.

2. Giving away patients to outside physicians

   Covers an informal arrangement in which patients are seen by another physician outside the practice and the broad operational tradeoffs.

3. Reciprocal billing between two unrelated practices

   Explains how practices may alternate coverage and the recordkeeping and compliance topics associated with that arrangement.

4. An independent physician acts as a locum tenens physician for one of your physicians

   Describes the locum tenens coverage model, including the need for formal contracting and related administrative considerations.