Wiki New Physician Covering for Physician on Medical Leave

[tnicholson]

We recently hired a new physician and plan to use this individual to cover patient visits for one of our current physicians while she is out on maternity leave. The problem is the new physician may not have access to all health plans by the time he starts. Does anyone know if we can use him as a 'covering physician' and bill under the assigned physician (the one out on leave) with a modifier? Or is this out of the question since the physician will be employed by us? I appreciate any insight available! Thank you in advance.

 

[mitchellde]

no you cannot bill one physician with another physicians number. If they are not credentialed by the time you need it the visits can be billed out of network but the patient's will need to be informed prior to the encounter so that they have the opportunity to decline.

 

[tnicholson]

Thank you, that is what I thought.