Government of New Brunswick
Health

Locum Tenens Services

A locum is a practitioner who is linked, by billing number, to a practitioner he/she is replacing, for a minimum of three (3) consecutive days per replacement session. A locum must obtain his/her own billing number through New Brunswick Medicare by contacting the Practitioner Registrar. All services must be billed under the locum tenens billing number. Payment for services is made directly to the practitioner providing the service.

A locum may work a full calendar year, but may not replace any one physician for more than 183 days (cumulative) in a 12 month period. Requests to exceed the limit of 183 days may be considered in exceptional circumstances.

The two practitioners must link their billing numbers so that only one of the two physicians will be paid during any time period specified in the notification provided to New Brunswick Medicare. The physician being replaced will be unable to bill New Brunswick Medicare during the specified period. Both physicians must maintain an active membership with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick for the duration of the locum.

The physician being replaced must notify New Brunswick Medicare in writing, by fax or e-mail, a minimum of five (5) days prior to commencement of the locum.

The locum, as a minimum, must have the same qualifications as the physician being replaced, as approved by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick.

The types of remuneration available for locums are : Fee-for-Service, Salary or Sessional.