How travel and lodging are commonly handled on locum assignments, and why reimbursements and stipends are not the same thing.
Locum tenens assignments often require travel away from home, so how travel and lodging are handled is one of the most important things to clarify before you accept. Arrangements vary widely by staffing agreement, facility, and assignment length, and there is no single standard that applies everywhere.
In some cases, the agency arranges and pays for travel and lodging directly, such as booking a flight or securing housing near the facility. In other cases, you pay up front and are reimbursed after submitting receipts. A third common approach is a stipend or per diem, where you receive a set allowance to cover expenses on your own.
These approaches are not interchangeable, and the differences matter. A direct booking means the agency handles logistics; a reimbursement means you need to track and submit expenses; a stipend means you manage the money yourself and keep whatever you do not spend. Each has different implications for your cash flow and record-keeping.
The tax treatment of reimbursements, stipends, and per diems can differ depending on how they are structured and your individual circumstances. Because these rules are nuanced and change over time, confirm how any travel-related payments will be treated with a qualified tax professional rather than assuming they are all handled the same way.
When reviewing an assignment, ask specific questions: Is travel booked for me or reimbursed? Is lodging provided, reimbursed, or covered by a stipend? What documentation do I need to keep, and by when? Getting these answers in writing up front helps you compare opportunities accurately and avoid unexpected out-of-pocket costs.