If you’re an active or retired physician or Advanced Practitioner who would like to work locums, the president’s recent declaration of a National State of Emergency in response to COVID-19 

<p>
  If you&rsquo;re an active or retired physician or Advanced Practitioner who
  would like to work locums, the president&rsquo;s recent declaration of a
  National State of Emergency in response to COVID-19 may help you expand your
  reach in caring for patients during this crisis. Through the emergency
  declaration, the federal government has allowed for regulatory flexibility at
  the state level through
  <a href="https://www.crosscountrylocums.com/blogs/coronovirus-waivers"
    >waivers designed to help providers expand care</a
  >.
</p>

<p>
  According to CMS, states may &ldquo;temporarily waive requirements that
  physicians and other health care professionals be licensed in the state in
  which they are providing services, so long as they have an equivalent
  licensing in another state.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
  So, if you are willing to come out of retirement or help across state lines
  during the coronavirus outbreak, these waivers may open the door for you. And
  if you&rsquo;re a healthcare administrator, this may expand your access to
  providers.
</p>

<h2>State Licensure Waiver Updates</h2>

<p>
  Our compliance department is closely following each state for waivers
  regarding licensure. As of March 18, 2020, nearly 20 states have implemented
  emergency declarations which impact licensure. Visit the Federation of State
  Medical Boards (FSMB)
  <a href="https://www.fsmb.org/advocacy/covid-19/">COVID-19 page</a> and scroll
  down to view the most recent pdf of State Emergency Declarations and Licensing
  Waivers.
</p>

<h2>Texas Disaster Waivers</h2>

<p>
  Texas is just one example of a state that has implemented extensive waivers
  during the crisis. A recent
  <a
    href="https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-fast-tracks-licensing-for-out-of-state-medical-professionals"
    >press release</a
  >
  announced that Governor Greg Abbott &ldquo;directed the Texas Medical Board
  (TMB) and the Texas Board of Nursing (TBN) to fast-track the temporary
  licensing of out-of-state physicians, physician assistants, certain retired
  physicians, nurses, and other license types to assist in Texas&#39; response
  to COVID-19.&rdquo; Here are the details:
</p>

<h3>Texas COVID-19 Disaster &ndash; Licensing for Out-of-State Providers</h3>

<p style="margin-left:.5in;">
  &ldquo;Pursuant to
  <a
    href="https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=5&amp;ti=22&amp;pt=9&amp;ch=172&amp;sch=D&amp;rl=Y"
    >Title 22, Chapter 172.20 and 172.21</a
  >
  of the Texas Administrative Code, the Texas Medical Board will allow
  out-of-state physicians to obtain a Texas limited emergency license or
  hospital-to-hospital credentialing for no more than thirty (30) days from the
  date the physician is licensed or until the disaster declaration has been
  withdrawn or ended, whichever is longer. Other types of out of state health
  care professionals regulated by TMB may also receive a temporary license under
  these rules.&rdquo;
</p>

<h3>Texas COVID-19 Disaster &ndash; Hospital-to-Hospital Credentialing</h3>

<p style="margin-left:.5in;">
  &ldquo;A physician who holds a full, unlimited and unrestricted license to
  practice medicine in another U.S. state, territory or district and has
  unrestricted hospital credentials and privileges in any U.S. state, territory
  or district may practice medicine at a hospital that is licensed by the Texas
  Health and Human Services Commission upon the following terms and conditions
  being met:
</p>

<p style="margin-left:1.0in;">
  (A) the licensed Texas hospital shall verify all physician credentials and
  privileges;
</p>

<p style="margin-left:1.0in;">
  (B) the licensed Texas hospital shall keep a list of all physicians coming to
  practice and shall provide this list to the Board within ten (10) days of each
  physician starting practice at the licensed Texas hospital; and
</p>

<p style="margin-left:1.0in;">
  (C) the licensed Texas hospital shall also provide the Board a list of when
  each physician has stopped practicing medicine in Texas under this section
  within ten (10) days after each physician has stopped practicing medicine
  under this section.&rdquo;
</p>

<h3>
  COVID-19 Disaster Response &ndash; Retired Physicians Returning to Active
  Status
</h3>

<p style="margin-left:.5in;">
  &ldquo;Texas resident retired physicians seeking a return to active status
  whose license has been placed on official retired status for less than two
  years are encouraged to apply for licensure to help during the pendency of
  this disaster.&rdquo;
</p>

<h2>Patient Care &ndash; Our Primary Concern</h2>

<p>
  According to Di Hall, CPCS, CPMSM, FMSP, Cross Country Locums Senior Director
  of Compliance and Quality Improvement, &ldquo;Patient care is our primary
  concern and we want to ensure that we have the best information to provide a
  positive impact on matching physicians, advanced practitioners and other
  independent clinical contractors with our hospital- and community-based
  clients. We have a duty, now more than ever, to care for all.&rdquo;
</p>

<p>
  The situation is continually evolving, we will share information as it becomes
  available. In the meantime, speak with one of our team members to see how and
  where you can help.
  <a href="https://www.crosscountrylocums.com/contact-us">Contact us</a>.
</p>


Update: State Licensure Waivers to Expand Care for Coronavirus