Final answer:
A locum tenens or covering physician may bill using the primary medical doctor's provider number for up to 60 days according to Medicare guidelines. The billing requires the Q6 modifier to indicate the services of a substitute physician. Compliance with insurer-specific rules is critical for proper reimbursement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the billing practices for locum tenens or covering physicians in the healthcare setting. When a primary medical doctor (PMD) is unavailable, a locum tenens physician can provide temporary services. According to Medicare guidelines, these services can be billed using the PMD's provider number for a continuous period of up to 60 days. The locum tenens physician would use the Q6 modifier with the billing code to indicate that the services were performed by a substitute physician.
It is critical for billing to follow the correct procedure to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and to prevent any issues with insurance reimbursement. Different insurers may have different rules, and it's important to be familiar with them. The locum tenens policy facilitates uninterrupted patient care while maintaining the financial operations of the healthcare practice.