VISTA Voice

Misinformation continues to surround use of the Q6 modifier, or the billing for services provided by a locum tenens physician. This can result in mistakes that prove costly or even detrimental to practices, as they may result in audits or further disciplinary action.

The Q6 modifier is intended to be a tool that practices can use when a physician is away for an extended period of time, therefore requiring temporary coverage by a locum tenens. It covers Part B fees, or medical claims related to the professional service provided, which are billed using the existing physician’s NPI number and the Q6 modifier.

To prevent abuse, there are stringent rules in place surrounding the conditions for using this modifier. When it is used, the surrounding circumstances must be well-documented. Carefully review the details associated with when and how to use the Q6 modifier to ensure that you remain compliant.

To start, government locum tenens jobs tend to last longer - generally lasting between three months to one year. Additionally, clinicians typically work in facilities that target underserved groups like Native Americans or veterans of a specific branch of the military. These facilities include DOD (Department of Defense) facilities, Veterans Affairs facilities, Indian Health Services, and other federal or state facilities, like prisons or behavioral health hospitals. Primary care and psychiatry are the top specialties in demand at these facilities, although locum tenens clinicians of all specialties are sought after.

Travel is one of the key reasons clinicians are attracted to locum tenens jobs. But even the excitement for travel opportunities does not eliminate the fact that making travel and housing arrangements can be a headache for locum tenens clinicians - consuming your time and causing you more hassle.

One available option is to work with a full-service locum tenens agency that can handle your travel and housing arrangements. And understanding what to expect can help you select an agency that best fits your needs and ensure that you get the most out of working with them.

If you’re considering accepting a locum tenens assignment, you may be wondering how being a parent fits into the mix. Guess what? Your children are probably wondering, too! The good news is that locum tenens jobs and family life are a perfect fit. Still, your kids may have some concerns - which is why we’ve compiled this list of four questions your kids might ask about being a locum tenens clinician. We’ve also provided answers aimed at satisfying their curiosity, while helping them to understand the many benefits associated with locum tenens work.

Looking to land the perfect locum tenens position? Even the most talented physician needs to take an organized approach if they want to find their ideal position. Use the tips we’ve provided below to improve your chances of standing out and landing the locum tenens position of your dreams.

With many reasons to love locum tenens work, you may not have even considered the potential benefits you can earn through airline and hotel loyalty rewards programs. But it can pay to take advantage of these perks.

Travel points can add up quickly, giving you the means to fly and stay free when you want to get away for a vacation. Rewards programs for travelers are generally free, and signing up is easy. Once you’ve added your rewards member numbers to your VISTA travel profile, the airline miles and hotel points will accumulate automatically when you travel.

You've just landed your first locum tenens assignment. You're excited about this new opportunity, but at the same time, you're wary. You may ask yourself: “Is locum tenens right for me?” “Will I have a hard time landing back-to-back assignments?” “How will working locum tenens affect my career prospects? ”You have a lot of questions, and fortunately, many have gone before you who can answer them. Let's explore four common concerns that clinicians have when going on their first locum tenens assignment, and see what former and current locum tenens clinicians had to say about it.

The path to finding the ideal career can be a winding one, and Dr. Guo knows this very well. He started his education in computer science before heading to medical school. While there, he was referred to VISTA by a friend who’s done locum tenens work with us in the past. But it wasn’t until he received a few emails from a dedicated VISTA recruiter that he finally started down the path to locum tenens.

Dr. Guo, a former VISTA hospitalist, offers this advice based on his locum tenens experience: "During the time I'm working, I start to plan for my next assignment to minimize unwanted gaps between contracts. It helps to have one or more sites that have an ongoing flexible need without minimum monthly commitments." Dr. Guo kept in touch with our recruiters for three years before finishing his residency program in 2016. Over the years, he’s found locum tenens work through VISTA in California, Oregon and Minnesota. 

Keep reading to learn more about Dr. Guo’s experience in his own words.

Locum tenens is a way of practicing medicine that is appealing to clinicians in many stages of their career. It can help reduce certain stressors that may come with full-time roles. It also provides benefits to those who are just starting their career and unsure of where they’d like to practice long-term.

Working locum tenens provides a way for clinicians to travel to new and exciting locations. For example, you can work in a city you’ve always wanted to visit without making a permanent commitment to live there forever. But, if you love the place, you can continue finding assignments in that location to remain there long-term. There are almost too many advantages of locum tenens to share, but here are just a few unexpected benefits you may not be aware of.

“Family first” is a motto many parents live by, and it’s true for clinicians, too. After all, your family is likely the reason you work so hard. Unfortunately, it can often be challenging to juggle your career and family life, but locum tenens offers a family-friendly alternative to permanent positions by making it possible to choose the hours and locations that work best for you. If you’re looking for a better way to balance your work life with your family life, here’s a closer look at some of the benefits of working locum tenens with kids.