Cardiology Coding Alert

Question: Can a locum tenens arrangement be used for a physician who has been terminated from a practice?

AAPC Forum Participant

Answer: No. Locum tenens is intended for providers who are intending to return to work.

The Medicare Claims Processing Manual Chapter 1 discusses how locum tenens can be used:

“A ‘continuous period of covered visit services’ begins with the first day on which the substitute physician or physical therapist provides covered visit services to Medicare Part B patients of the regular physician or physical therapist, and ends with the last day the substitute physician or physical therapist provides services to such patients before the regular physician or physical therapist returns to work.

This period continues without interruption on days on which no covered visit services are provided to patients on behalf of the regular physician or physical therapist or are furnished by some other substitute physician or physical therapist on behalf of the regular physician or physical therapist. A new period of covered visit services can begin after the regular physician or physical therapist has returned to work.”