Q6HCPCS Level II
Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute
- Usage notes
- Append when a substitute physician covered under a fee-for-time (locum tenens) compensation arrangement, and the regular physician bills for the substitute's services.
- Common mistakes
- Confusing Q6 (locum tenens, substitute is paid a fee for time) with Q5 (reciprocal billing, no such payment arrangement) — payers may ask for the arrangement type on audit.
Related modifiers
Q0Investigational clinical service provided in a clinical research study that isQ1Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in anQ2Demonstration procedure/serviceQ3Live kidney donor surgery and related servicesQ4Service for ordering/referring physician qualifies as a service exemptionQ5Service furnished under a reciprocal billing arrangement by a substituteQ7One class a findingQ8Two class b findings
Frequently asked questions
What does modifier Q6 mean?
Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute
When do I use modifier Q6?
Append when a substitute physician covered under a fee-for-time (locum tenens) compensation arrangement, and the regular physician bills for the substitute's services.
What's a common mistake with modifier Q6?
Confusing Q6 (locum tenens, substitute is paid a fee for time) with Q5 (reciprocal billing, no such payment arrangement) — payers may ask for the arrangement type on audit.
HCPCS modifier data from CMS. CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association — CPT modifier descriptions are not included on this site. Always verify codes with authoritative sources before making billing decisions.