CPCS CPCS Locum Tenens and Temporary Credentialing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a locum tenens practitioner's temporary privileges expire and they wish to continue working, what MUST occur?
- Full credentialing through the standard credentials committee and governing board process must be completed (Correct answer)
- The department chair can simply renew the temporary privileges indefinitely
- The locum agency may extend privileges administratively
- A new NPDB query alone is sufficient to continue practice
Correct answer: Full credentialing through the standard credentials committee and governing board process must be completed
Temporary privileges cannot be indefinitely renewed; continued practice beyond the allowed period requires completing the full credentialing and privileging process.
Question 2: A hospital uses a locum tenens agency that holds NCQA certification for credentialing. Under which condition may the hospital rely on the agency's credentialing without independently re-verifying each element?
- When a written agreement exists specifying that the agency's credentialing meets the hospital's standards and accreditation requirements (Correct answer)
- Whenever the agency is accredited, with no further requirements
- Only for practitioners who have been credentialed by the agency for more than one year
- Only for non-physician practitioners
Correct answer: When a written agreement exists specifying that the agency's credentialing meets the hospital's standards and accreditation requirements
A formal written agreement documenting that the agency's credentialing process meets applicable standards is required before the hospital can rely on agency-performed verifications.
Question 3: Which of the following is a UNIQUE documentation requirement for locum tenens credentialing compared to permanent medical staff credentialing?
- Documentation of the locum agency contract and the specific dates of practice at the facility (Correct answer)
- A longer application form with additional work history
- Board certification in a subspecialty
- A notarized copy of the practitioner's medical school diploma
Correct answer: Documentation of the locum agency contract and the specific dates of practice at the facility
Locum tenens files must include the agency contract and defined practice dates to establish the scope and duration of temporary privileges.
Question 4: During a disaster, a hospital activates its emergency credentialing policy and grants privileges to volunteer practitioners. Which accreditation standard governs this process?
- Joint Commission Emergency Management (EM) standards, specifically the disaster privileging provisions (Correct answer)
- TJC Medical Staff (MS) standards only
- CMS Conditions of Participation, section 482.13
- OSHA emergency response regulations
Correct answer: Joint Commission Emergency Management (EM) standards, specifically the disaster privileging provisions
TJC EM standards include specific provisions for granting disaster privileges to volunteer practitioners when the facility's emergency operations plan is activated.
Question 5: Under Joint Commission disaster privileging standards, what information MUST be obtained about a volunteer practitioner BEFORE they begin providing care?
- A valid government-issued photo ID and at least one primary source that confirms their practitioner status, such as a current license card or hospital ID (Correct answer)
- Only a signed attestation from the practitioner
- Full primary source verification of all credentials
- An NPDB query and peer references
Correct answer: A valid government-issued photo ID and at least one primary source that confirms their practitioner status, such as a current license card or hospital ID
TJC disaster standards require at minimum a photo ID and one primary source confirmation of licensure before a volunteer disaster practitioner may begin patient care.
Question 6: A locum tenens practitioner receives a malpractice claim while working at your hospital under temporary privileges. Who has the obligation to report this to the NPDB if it results in a payment?
- The malpractice insurer that makes the payment must report to the NPDB (Correct answer)
- The hospital credentialing department
- The locum tenens agency
- The state medical board only
Correct answer: The malpractice insurer that makes the payment must report to the NPDB
Under federal law, malpractice payment reports must be submitted to the NPDB by the entity making the payment, which is the malpractice insurer, not the hospital or agency.
CPCS CPCS Locum Tenens and Temporary Credentialing 2
When a locum tenens practitioner's temporary privileges expire and they wish to continue working, what MUST occur?