Credentialing Corner

# Why Does Credentialing Take So Long?

- November 11, 2024
- Posted by Brian Bertrand

30 Oct

You’re not alone if you’ve ever wondered why does credentialing take so long to process. To affirm the experience, history of experts, and qualifications, credentialing is a rigorous technique crucial in other industries and healthcare. Leaving many new healthcare providers anxious and annoyed, the credentialing process can often be complex and prolonged. However, this delay is not without reason; it plays a critical role in verifying safety and quality in healthcare.

This process feels like a fraught with paperwork, a tiring waiting game, approvals, and background checks for anyone. We’ve come up with the right information related to why the medical credentialing process takes so long, and what involves in making it get delayed.

## An Overview of the Credentialing Process

Credentialing is the organized authentication of a healthcare company’s qualifications, inclusive of their preparation, certifications, education, residency, work history, and licenses. This procedure is crucial for healthcare facilities to make sure that the specialists they hire meet the essential requirements and are competent for patient care.

Credentialing serves several purposes:

1. Patient Safety: Verifying qualifications facilitates protecting patients from unqualified practitioners.
2. Compliance with Regulations: Healthcare facilities must comply with federal regulations and various states, which require a thorough credentialing process.
3. Quality Assurance: Regularly verifying credentials helps maintain high standards in healthcare delivery.

While the objectives of credentialing are clear, many find themselves asking, how long does the credentialing process take? The timeline can vary considerably depending on numerous factors, as we’ll discuss below.

## Factors Contributing to Lengthy Credentialing

### 1. Thorough Verification Requirements

The exhaustive nature of the verification process is one of the main reasons why does credentialing take so long. Each aspect needs to be thoroughly validated and checked for a provider’s qualifications. This includes:

- Primary Source Verification (PSV): Healthcare facilities should verify that all training, education, and certifications are obtained from authorized institutions and are also legitimate. To verify the records provided by the applicant, this regularly includes contacting the licensing boards, original schools, and other entities.

- Background Checks: This one is critical for institutional integrity and patient safety. Institutions conduct detailed background checks that may include malpractice claims, criminal history, and any previous disciplinary actions.
- Peer References: Credentialing may additionally require references from supervisors and co-employees who can vouch for the expert conduct and company’s competence.

Each of these steps is time-consuming and may involve back-and-forth communication, which significantly adds to the overall processing time.

### 2. High Volume of Applications

- Simultaneously, healthcare corporations regularly process a big quantity of credentialing applications.
- The demand for credentialing services can overwhelm staff if it’s a clinic onboarding nurse practitioners or a hospital hiring new physicians.
- Many facilities operate with limited resources, and the sheer volume of applications can slow down the process considerably.
- When multiple applications are submitted at once, each one may face delays as the credentialing staff deals with verification tasks.
- This situation is particularly common during hiring surges, such as when new healthcare facilities open or existing facilities expand.

### 3. Regulatory Compliance

- In contributing to the period of the credentialing method, compliance with federal and kingdom rules is another task to be taken care of.
- Multiple certifying bodies set harsh guidelines for credentialing, including the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and the Joint Commission.
- To make sure that only qualified individuals are allowed to practice, these rules mandate comprehensive verification tactics.
- Meeting these compliance requirements regularly calls for oversight, and extra documentation and ultimately prolongs the credentialing timeline.
- As failing to conform can result in lack of accreditation or severe penalties, healthcare facilities must adhere to these requirements carefully.

### 4. Committee Review Process

- Applications often go through numerous levels of review after completing the verification of credentials.
- Each healthcare facility has its committees that should examine and approve each application earlier than the applicant is granted privileges.
- These committees can lead to delays and typically meet on a scheduled basis (bi-monthly or monthly).
- Applicants might need to wait until the next scheduled committee meeting for their application to be considered and even if an applicant’s credentials are fully verified.
- To the overall timeline, this aspect of the process can add months or weeks.

### 5. Inconsistent Response Times from Verification Sources

- The speed at which primary sources respond to verification requests can vary widely.
- For instance, licensing boards and education institutions may take time to respond and process to requests, especially in graduation periods and during peak times.
- The delay in receiving necessary documents from these sources can significantly extend the duration of the credentialing process.
- Moreover, some institutions may have inefficient processes or outdated systems, making it challenging to obtain timely confirmations.

## How Long Does the Credentialing Process Take?

In general, how long the credentialing process takes can range from thirty to one eighty days, relying on various factors, which includes the complexity of the applicant’s history, the facility’s regulations, and the overall performance of the verification technique.

Here are some common timelines to consider:

- Basic Credentialing for New Providers: 30 to 60 days
- Specialty Credentialing (e.g., for surgical privileges): 60 to 90 days
- Complex Cases (e.g., previous malpractice claims or extensive international experience): 90 to 180 days

While some providers may receive temporary privileges during the credentialing process, it is crucial to note that most facilities prefer to complete full credentialing before allowing independent practice.

## Ways to Expedite Credentialing

While the credentialing process is inherently complex, some techniques can help reduce delays:

1. Utilize Technology: Adopting digital credentialing systems can accelerate the verification and application processes, allowing for quicker responses and lowering paperwork.
2. Clear Communication: Providing clean checklists and instructions to candidates can expedite the submission and reduce mistakes of required documentation.
3. Dedicated Credentialing Teams: Having specialized teams focused solely on credentialing can help speed up processing times and reduce the workload on existing staff.
4. Outsource Credentialing Services: Some companies choose to outsource their credentialing methods to targeted companies which could have greater efficient systems in place.

## Final Thoughts

Understanding why does credentialing take so long can help healthcare experts prepare for the wait and manage their expectations. Its importance cannot be overstated while the process can be lengthy. Credentialing safeguards patient safety, maintains expert standards, and guarantees compliance with regulatory necessities.

As healthcare systems evolve, the hope is that technology and improved processes will reduce the waiting period, allowing qualified professionals to begin their important work more swiftly.

## FAQs

### 1. What are the primary reasons for delays in the credentialing process?

Delays often arise from the need for extensive verification, high application volumes, compliance with regulatory standards, committee reviews, and inconsistent response times from primary sources.

### 2. How long does credentialing take for a new healthcare provider?

On average, the credentialing process can take anywhere from thirty to one eighty days (30 to 180 Days), relying on the difficulty of the case and the healthcare facility’s regulations.

### 3. Can I work while my credentialing is in process?

Many healthcare facilities offer temporary privileges to allow providers to start working while the credentialing process is underway. However, this varies by facility.

### 4. Why is primary source verification necessary?

Primary source verification is important to ensure the accuracy of the applicant’s qualifications and background, accordingly protecting affected persons and upholding professional standards.

### 5. What happens if there’s an error in my credentialing application?

Errors can cause delays as the facility may need to verify and correct the information, which can lead to additional waiting time. It’s essential to double-check all submitted documents for accuracy.

### Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment *

Name *

Email *

Website

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Sidebar Scroll To Top