Locum Tenens More then 60 Consecutive Days

I have a client that would like to add a locum tenens physician 1 or 2 days per week on-going. This practice has a physician that has had their permanent physician out on medical leave on and off for the past 4 months. The practice has utilized 2 locum providers no more than 2 - 3 days per week to stay within the 60 day rule. The regular provider is due to return, however, only part-time. The practice would like to utilize the same locums provider 1 or 2 days per week. Can the practice credential this provider and enroll the physician in Medicare under the practice but continue to pay the physican thru the locum tenens agency? If not, why? Can the practice have a locums provider past the 60 day rule as long as that provider does not see Medicare/Medicaid patients?

locum

It sounds like you're clear that whether the MD works 2 days or 7 days per week, it's not the days worked but the start date that sets the 60 consecutive day counter.

I don't see any reason why the practice could not enroll/credential the MD, and pay through the locums agency. From Medicare's perspective, this would not be a locum physician any more, but the fact that you paid for that physician's services through an agency and not through payroll isn't relevant.

You need to check with your commercial carriers about whether a locum can be billed under the permanent physician's provider number.