Do Locum Tenens Need to be Credentialed?

TLDR; Yes, Locum Tenens healthcare workers need to be credentialed in order to ensure high-quality patient care. Credentialing often takes between 60-120 days, and your locums agency should support you through this process. 

Put simply, Locum tenens professionals bring flexibility and expertise to healthcare facilities in need of staffing support. Locums physicians are vital to patient care, which is why it’s important that any physician looking to make the switch to a locums career knows the answer to a key question: do locum tenens need to be credentialed? The answer is a resounding yes. Credentialing is not just a formality. It’s a critical process that upholds the quality of patient care and ensures compliance with legal and institutional standards.

Unsurprisingly, credentialing for locum tenens can be a complex and time-consuming process that includes verifying medical licenses and board certifications, conducting background checks, and securing privileges at healthcare facilities. This article will explore those complexities in locum tenens credentialing and address common challenges. By understanding the process, both locum tenens providers and healthcare organizations can navigate credentialing with greater ease and efficiency.

What Is Locum Tenens Credentialing?

Locum tenens credentialing refers to the process of verifying a healthcare provider’s qualifications and professional history to ensure they meet the standards of the facility and state where they will practice. This comprehensive evaluation includes confirming education, training, licensure, certifications, work history, and any malpractice history. Credentialing is required not only by healthcare facilities but also by regulatory agencies and insurance companies, as it establishes a provider’s competence and legal eligibility to deliver care.

The credentialing process is critical because it protects both patients and healthcare organizations. By thoroughly vetting providers, facilities can ensure that only qualified professionals are granted privileges to treat patients. This rigorous approach reduces the risk of medical errors and enhances overall patient trust. 

On Era Locums Credentialing - "Amy Comalli is amazing to work with, she is professional and dependable. She is prompt in responding to emails, she makes sure a provider’s files are complete and she always asks clarifying questions when necessary. I really enjoy working with her.”

—Shannon, Washington State, Critical Access Hospital

How Long Does It Take to Get Credentialed for Locums?

On average, locum tenens credentialing takes between 60 to 120 days, though it can sometimes be expedited under specific circumstances.

Factors that influence the timeline include the thoroughness of the provider’s documentation, responsiveness in providing additional information, and the workload of the credentialing team. Preparing ahead by organizing necessary documents, such as medical licenses, board certifications, and malpractice insurance, can help minimize delays.

What Are the Challenges of Locum Tenens Credentialing?

Locum tenens credentialing comes with its own set of challenges, including:

• Time-Consuming Processes: The process often involves gathering extensive documentation, which can be overwhelming and time-consuming for providers.
• Inconsistent Requirements: Credentialing requirements can vary significantly between facilities, leading to confusion and potential delays.
• Verifications and Delays: Facilities must verify every aspect of a provider’s background, including education, work history, and malpractice claims, which can take weeks or even months.
• Communication Gaps: Miscommunication or delayed responses between the provider, facility, and locums agency can further slow down the process.
• State Licensure Variations: If a provider is working across multiple states, navigating different state licensure requirements adds another layer of complexity.

Understanding these challenges in advance can help providers and facilities work proactively to address potential bottlenecks and streamline the credentialing process.

What Is the CMS Policy for Locum Tenens?

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have established specific policies regarding locum tenens providers to ensure compliance and streamline temporary staffing arrangements. One key policy is the use of substitute physicians under a locum tenens arrangement, allowing facilities to bill Medicare for services provided by a temporary provider using the absent physician’s billing number. 

Another important aspect of CMS policy is the distinction between locum tenens providers and other temporary staffing arrangements, such as reciprocal billing agreements. Locum tenens providers must also adhere to state and federal regulations, including those related to credentialing, to maintain eligibility for reimbursement under CMS guidelines. These policies highlight the importance of working with experienced locum tenens agencies that understand regulatory nuances and can guide providers through compliance requirements.

What Is the 60 Day Rule for Locum Tenens?

The 60-day rule for locum tenens is a guideline established by CMS that allows healthcare facilities to use a substitute physician for up to 60 continuous days while billing under the absent physician’s provider number. This policy is particularly useful in situations where the regular physician is on a short-term leave due to illness, vacation, or other personal matters. After the 60-day period, the locum tenens arrangement must be reassessed, and additional compliance steps may be required if the substitution needs to continue. 

How Do Locum Tenens Agencies Assist with Credentialing?

A reputable locum tenens agency helps reduce the administrative burden on providers, using its many resources to ensure a smoother experience. Here are some key ways agencies assist with credentialing:

• Document Preparation: Agencies help providers gather and organize the necessary documents, such as licenses, certifications, and work history, ensuring all required materials are readily available.
• Application Submission: They handle the submission of credentialing applications to healthcare facilities, saving providers time and effort.
• Follow-Up Communication: Agencies maintain consistent communication with credentialing departments to address any questions or issues that arise, expediting the process.
• Licensure Assistance: For providers working in multiple states, agencies often assist with obtaining and managing state licenses, ensuring compliance across jurisdictions.
• Guidance and Support: Agencies offer guidance on complex credentialing requirements and provide support throughout the entire process, reducing provider stress and ensuring timely approvals.

By leveraging the expertise of a locum tenens agency, healthcare providers can focus on delivering quality patient care while leaving the complexities of credentialing to experienced professionals.

Our Concierge Locums Services

Locum tenens credentialing can be overwhelming. Era is here to make it easy for you. Our concierge-level services are designed to streamline every aspect of the credentialing process, so healthcare providers and facilities can focus on what matters most—delivering exceptional patient care. Whether you’re a healthcare professional looking to explore locum tenens opportunities or a facility in need of staffing support, our experienced team will handle the details with precision and care.

Take the first step toward a seamless locum tenens experience. Contact Era Locums today to learn more about how we can support your credentialing needs and ensure a smooth transition into your next role or staffing solution. Let us handle the paperwork while you focus on providing outstanding healthcare.

Resources

Featured Photo by Gabrielle Henderson on Unsplash

Signature Document Photo by Lewis Keegan on Unsplash