Billing: Know These 7 Myths and 1 Truth About Fee-for-Time Billing

Why This Topic Matters

Temporary physician coverage can create billing and compliance risk if claims are submitted under the wrong provider, arrangement type, or timeframe. Understanding the article helps practices evaluate whether their coverage scenario fits fee-for-time billing and what general administrative checks are needed before claims are submitted.

Article Sections

1. Prep now for summer FFT fill-ins, previously called locum tenens

   Introduces the topic of temporary physician coverage and frames the discussion around fee-for-time billing in a practice setting. It also notes the earlier terminology used for this type of arrangement.

2. Truth 1: FFT Billing Applies to Temporary Doctors

   Explains the general subject of substitute physicians and the type of coverage arrangement involved. It also references Medicare policy sources and the associated administrative context.

3. Myth 1: You’ll Use the Fill-in Doctor’s NPI

   Addresses provider identifier handling and claim submission considerations for substitute-physician billing. It mentions form-based reporting details and payer verification.

4. Myth 2: You Can Bill FFT Before Your Doctor Is Credentialed

   Discusses credentialing timing and the difference between substitute coverage and onboarding a new physician. It includes a compliance-related reference to federal program concerns.

5. Myth 3: In Some Cases, You Can Skip Modifier Q6

   Covers the importance of consistent claim reporting when substitute coverage is used. The section focuses on the administrative risk of omitting required identifiers.

6. Myth 4: You Can Use FFT for ‘Extra Help’

   Distinguishes temporary substitute coverage from staffing used only to handle increased workload. It clarifies that the article treats these as different billing situations.

7. Myth 5: There’s no Time Limit on FFT

   Addresses the duration of substitute coverage and the existence of a Medicare time boundary. It also notes a limited exception and what may be needed for longer coverage.

8. Myth 6: You Can Use FFT for Nonphysician Providers

   Discusses whether substitute coverage applies to nonphysician practitioners and mentions specialty/provider-type distinctions. It also references the broader setting in which some nonphysician services may be considered.

9. Myth 7: FFT Providers Can Bill for Services Normally Included in Global Period

   Addresses the relationship between substitute coverage and services that are usually bundled into broader payment periods. It closes with a reminder that payer rules may differ outside Medicare Part B.