| Locum tenens physicians often times work as | | | | bill for locum tenens past 60 days. Any bills that are |
| independent contractors on a temporary basis to help | | | | put through during the time that this physician was |
| where needed. This can be to fill a spot while | | | | used, will state that a temporary physician provided |
| someone is out sick, on vacation, or any other type of | | | | these services to the patient. |
| absence. These physicians don't usually have their | | | | Duration |
| own offices or practices. However, they can give just | | | | There are many medical facilities that give the |
| as good of care as any other doctor would. As far as | | | | physicians a position. There are guidelines and |
| Medicare goes, there are certain rules that these | | | | restrictions that need to be explained as far as this |
| physicians need to follow. | | | | position goes. Benefits cannot be used for more than |
| Tax Rules | | | | 60 days. After that time frame, regular doctors will |
| These physicians are self-employed, which means that | | | | have to resume working as well as treating patients |
| they don't get taxes taken out of their pay like any | | | | before a locum doctor can be used again. Medicare |
| other job would do. For this reason, it's required that | | | | as well as other billing agencies only let charges be |
| the physician will have to file taxes each year just like | | | | made for a period of 60 days from when the |
| the rest of us. They have to report all of their earning | | | | temporary physician stepped in to replace the regular |
| throughout the year as well to the IRS. | | | | physician for a while. |
| Rules for Medicare | | | | There are a few other rules that physicians have to |
| There are certain rules that are set by Medicare as | | | | follow while working as a locum physician in any |
| far as billing for their services to patients. Physicians | | | | medical facility. |
| are paid on per diem basis and regular providers can't | | | | |