Question on Locum

We recently received this question

We have an anesthesia group and a pain clinic. We have two anesthesiologist on staff, one is permanent, the other is according to the permanent doctor, a locum. My dilemma is that the pain clinic is in the same building as the O/R, which means they are both in the same building, so is he actually covering for the permanent doctor while he is in the pain clinic, which would make him a locum, or is that not within locum guidelines. Both companies have seperate tax id's and NPI's but are on the same property.

Michele's response

I’m not completely sure I understand your question. Do both anesthesiologists (the perm & the locum) work in both the pain clinic & in the OR? A locum physician is just a temporary physician usually filling in for a permanent physician’s position. Some practices use locums more as a permanent position though. Since a locum is a licensed physician they do not have to work under a physician’s supervision, like a NP or PA. If this doesn’t answer your question, please email me with more details.