Medical Staffing FAQs

A medical staffing shortage for just one week can cost thousands of dollars in lost revenue and cause dissatisfaction in the community through delays, increased waiting times and cancellations. With physician recruitment efforts stretching four to six months for permanent providers, healthcare facilities often depend on locum tenens doctors as they conduct a search. Many facilities also use temporary physicians to test the need for a new staff position or specialist.

Independent doctors, allied health professionals and CRNAs practice on a temporary basis for several reasons. Physicians just out of residency use locum tenens to ‘test drive’ a practice setting or location. More experienced healthcare providers appreciate the opportunity to focus on patient care, without reimbursement concerns or other paperwork hassles. In 2005, almost 39,000 medical providers practiced on a temporary basis. By working locum tenens, providers can maintain their independent status and the clinical autonomy that comes with it.

According to the 2003 Review of Temporary Healthcare Staffing Trends and Incentives, 77 percent of healthcare administrators rate locum tenens providers as equal or superior to their staff providers. The physicians, allied health professionals and CRNAs contracted by our medical staffing company are subject to both a strict in-house qualifying process and rigid underwriting by our medical malpractice carrier. Staff Care also requests feedback regarding provider performance during each placement.

Although the typical locum tenens assignment spans 10 to 20 days, temporary providers often cover vacancies lasting from three or four days up to a full year. Facilities often realize significant savings by using locum tenens providers to cover extensive physician vacancies.

Staff Care processes payment on a weekly basis on behalf of its client facilities. Providers contact us directly with any questions regarding payment rates, premium pay, expenses or other related matters. Though payment to providers ultimately is derived from the facility using the provider, we handle payment processing. In other words, using our medical staffing service reduces the paperwork for you and your staff. Staff Care also coordinates travel, housing and transportation.

There is no up-front fee for requesting locum tenens coverage through Staff Care. We operate on a contingent basis. Daily rates for provider coverage vary according to region and specialty. To learn how Staff Care can help your healthcare facility, please submit your medical staffing needs today.