Are the Complexities and Challenges of Provider Credentialing Getting any Easier?

As unfortunate as it is, the answer to this question is “Not really.”  While many payors have moved to electronic applications and email follow-ups, there are still numerous complexities. In addition, it is still a very time-consuming process.  Most practices and providers underestimate the criticality of onboarding and credentialing providers as quickly as possible for medical billing purposes.

What are the Factors Involved in Today’s Credentialing Services?

1. Changing Regulations: Healthcare regulations and credentialing requirements are subject to frequent changes at the state and federal levels. Staying up to date with these changes and ensuring compliance can be a significant learning curve.
2. Extensive Documentation: Credentialing often involves gathering and submitting extensive documentation. Setting up a CAQH Profile for each provider can be very helpful in the credentialing process. This can include education and training records, licenses, certifications, malpractice history, work history, references, and more. The Provider Data Portal login is located at https://proview.caqh.org/Login/Index?ReturnUrl=%2fcan “help reduce inquiries for your administrative information and save even more time by keeping your profile complete and up-to-date.”  The volume of paperwork can be overwhelming at best and requires regular follow-up to determine the status of each application.
3. Varied Requirements: Different healthcare facilities, insurance companies, and state regulatory bodies have their own unique credentialing requirements. These requirements can include specific forms, documentation, and standards, making it challenging to navigate the various expectations.
4. Verification Processes: Credentialing involves verifying the accuracy of the information provided by healthcare providers. This will include checking with educational institutions, previous employers, and licensing boards.
5. Time Constraints: The credentialing process can take a considerable amount of time. What once took 30-45 days can now sometimes take 3 – 4 months, depending on the payor. Understanding the importance of starting the process early will prevent billing issues further down the road
6. Re-Credentialing and Maintenance: Credentialing is not a one-time event; it requires ongoing re-credentialing and maintenance. Healthcare providers must regularly update their credentials and ensure they remain in good standing, adding an ongoing administrative burden.
7. Data Privacy and Security: Credentialing involves the sharing of sensitive and private information. Ensuring the security and privacy of this data is crucial, as data breaches can have legal and financial repercussions.
8. Quality Assurance: Credentialing is not just about verifying qualifications but also ensuring the quality of care. This may involve assessing a provider’s clinical competence, which can be a subjective and multifaceted process.
9. Appeals and Disputes: Sometimes, a provider’s application for credentialing may be denied or delayed due to discrepancies or issues. Handling appeals and disputes is a necessary part of the credentialing process.
10. Diverse Provider Types: Credentialing isn’t limited to physicians; it applies to various healthcare provider types, including nurse practitioners, physician assistants, therapists, and specialists. Each of these provider types may have unique credentialing requirements and challenges.
11. Insurance Contracts: For practices and providers who want to bill insurance companies, credentialing with those companies is a prerequisite. This involves navigating the specific requirements and processes of each insurance. Contracting and credentialing go hand-in-hand and often get confused by the practice especially a new practice that is opening or a provider who transfers from one group to another and the new group is not in-network with the insurance company.
12. Geographic Variations: Credentialing requirements can vary by geographic location, so providers who work in multiple states or regions may need to navigate different sets of regulations and requirements.
13. Coordination and Communication: Effective communication and coordination are vital, especially in larger healthcare organizations with multiple stakeholders involved in the credentialing process. Miscommunication or delays can hinder the process.
14. Time and Resource Savings: Outsourcing credentialing services can save practice’s time and resources compared to handling the process in-house.

Given these complexities, many healthcare providers and organizations choose to outsource credentialing to specialized services or hire dedicated staff to manage the process effectively and efficiently.  Provider credentialing services play a crucial role in helping your healthcare practice maintain compliance with regulations, reduce legal and financial risks, and operate efficiently. They can improve the quality of care, and enhance your practice’s reputation, all of which contribute to the success and sustainability of your healthcare organization.

At Legacy, we can assist you by managing the entire contracting and/or credentialing process, ensuring that you can bill as quickly as possible.