Locum Tenens

A temporary practice arrangement where a healthcare provider fills in for another provider on a short-term basis, often requiring specific credentialing and licensing considerations for the temporary assignment.

Locum tenens is a Latin phrase meaning "to hold the place of." In healthcare, it refers to a provider who fills in temporarily at a practice or facility, usually to cover for another provider who is on leave, vacation, or during a staffing shortage. From a credentialing perspective, locum tenens creates unique challenges. You are often moving between different facilities and different states, which means you need active licenses in every state where you work and credentialing with every payer you might bill through. Most locum tenens providers work through staffing agencies. The agency handles a lot of the credentialing legwork, but ultimately your credentials are your responsibility. Make sure your CAQH profile is current and attested, your licenses are active in every state you might work in, and your malpractice insurance covers locum tenens work. Malpractice insurance for locum tenens can work two ways. Some staffing agencies provide malpractice coverage for you while you are on assignment. Others require you to carry your own policy. Make sure you understand which arrangement applies and that there are no gaps in coverage between assignments. Medicare has specific billing rules for locum tenens. A locum tenens provider can bill under the absent provider's NPI for up to 60 days. After 60 days, the locum provider needs to be enrolled with Medicare under their own NPI. This is one of the most commonly violated Medicare rules, and it can result in claim denials and repayment demands. If you do locum tenens work, keep a detailed record of every assignment, every facility, every payer you billed, and the dates of service. You will need this information for every credentialing application you ever fill out, because the work history section asks for your complete employment record with no gaps.