11/13/2020

Locum Tenems Rule

If a practitioner is going out for 2-3 months on medical leave, and someone will be working one day a week, for 2-3 months, does he/she need to add that address to ALL insurances/medicare? Billing would be under the group tax ID etc.

Known as the “locum tenems” rule, the use of the -Q6 modifier (on all charges) allows a provider who is normally not part of the billing group to temporarily bill under the credentials of one of the established physicians. Typically, this is done frequently in the emergency room setting where doctors would cover for another physician.

In this case, you’re bringing on a podiatrist temporarily while you are on leave. The leave of absence can be for medical, personal, or other reasons. While there’s no set time limit, it’s not meant to be a permanent arrangement, since a provider is expected to eventually credential themselves with the practice if they are doing this for a prolonged period of time.