Are you a small medical practice owner who’s becoming increasingly stressed by the complexities of medical billing? If so, it might be helpful to understand what is credentialing and how it impacts your business.

In this article, we’ll break down this necessary component of any successful healthcare professional.

What Is Credentialing?

Credentialing is a process of collecting, verifying, and maintaining the records of healthcare practitioners working with your organization. It is one of the most important steps in medical billing as it helps to make sure that your healthcare practitioners have the appropriate qualifications and credentials to provide services.

The credentialing process entails verifying the educational background, medical licensing status, and work experience of each healthcare provider at your organization. This helps healthcare professionals protect their reputation and ensures patients receive the best care.

Additionally, It helps make sure that providers are eligible for Medicare and private insurance payments by verifying their enrollment status in those programs.

How Does It Work?

In order to complete the provider credentialing process, a practice must provide the necessary supporting documents such as a copy of the practitioner’s license or certification, curriculum vitae, and/or other supporting documents.

These documents must be sent to a credentialing organization, such as the American Medical Association, American Academy of Family Physicians, and/or the state’s department of health for primary source verification.

The credentialing organization will then review the documents and determine the practitioner’s eligibility, typically by using the National Practitioner Data Bank for comprehensive background checks

Why Is The Medical Credentialing Process Important?

So, what is credentialing so important for? For healthcare providers, credentialing is an essential in the healthcare industry to ensure your practice is sufficiently vetted. By understanding the process and having the appropriate documents ready, you can ensure that the credentialing process goes smoothly and that your providers are eligible for payment.

Additionally, there are several organizations that can help simplify the process and make sure practitioners’ information is accurate and up-to-date.

Credentialing With PMN

At PMN, we understand the challenges of credentialing. We assist our clients with all aspects of the process from the initial application to the continuing maintenance. Our team of credentialing specialists are experienced in obtaining the necessary documents for verification, validating the data, and utilizing the appropriate credentialing software to provide accurate reports.

Beyond credentialing, PMN can provide a full range of medical billing services. Our team of experts will work with you to maximize your practice’s revenue by ensuring all claims are filed correctly and promptly so you can focus on providing affordable quality healthcare to treat patients.

We also provide accurate coding, efficient billing processes, and expedited accounts receivables. Finally, we can generate detailed reports and statements so you can track trends and make adjustments as necessary.

For more information, get in touch with one of our helpful team members today to see if PMN is the right fit for your healthcare facility! Call (949) 215-5055 , or visit our office in person at Laguna Hills, Orange County, California.

Are There Any Mistakes To Avoid In The Credentialing Process?

For small healthcare organizations, ensuring that your staff and nurse practitioners are adequately credentialed is essential to properly billing insurance companies. Credentialing mistakes can cost your practice time and money, both of which are valuable resources.

Avoiding the following common credentialing mistakes will help ensure your healthcare facilities success:

1.  Applying Too Late

Insurance companies have complex and lengthy credentialing processes. While you and your staff may be ready to process claims, your practice will not be ready until you have been completely credentialed. The best way to avoid this is to start the credentialing process as soon as you or your medical staff are hired.

Waiting until closer to when you would like to start processing claims is not a good idea as it can cause delays and create more work in the long run.

2.  Not Meeting All The Requirements

Each insurance company has a formal process and its own regulations that must be met before a practice can be credentialed. Small medical practice owners should be sure that they and their staff have fulfilled each and every one of the insurance company’s requirements before submitting an application.

3.  Missing Or Incorrect Information

When filling out the credentials, be sure to double check for accuracy and medical errors. Entering incorrect information or leaving out required information can delay the process. This can be especially true when the application is being filled out electronically, as changes cannot be made after the application has been submitted.

4.  Neglecting To Renew

Credentials need to be renewed on a regular basis to maintain your practice’s ability to process claims. Make sure to keep track of when each credential expires and be sure to submit renewal applications ahead of the expiration date.

5.  Poor Communication

Communication is key when it comes to credentialing applications. Make sure to follow up with the insurance company to check the status of your application, as well as answer any questions they may have. It’s also important to ensure the information you provide is complete and accurate.

FAQ

How Long Does It Usually Take To Complete The Credentialing Process?

The length of the credentialing process varies depending on the provider and their qualifications. Generally, it takes around 12-16 weeks to complete the entire process. However, this could be longer if there are any delays in the verification process.

What Is Credentialing Doing To Benefit Medical Practices?

Firstly, it validates a provider’s qualifications and sets them up for successful reimbursement from insurance companies. It can also increase the provider’s visibility in the medical billing industry and lead to more referrals or clients. Finally, it can be useful in building trust around the provider’s services which can lead to them becoming a leader in their field.

What Are The Challenges Of Credentialing?

The process of credentialing can be long and complicated. It requires providers to submit a large amount of documentation for review, which can be time-consuming. Additionally, the process can be costly for providers as it may require membership in certain organizations.

Finally, this process may be complex and difficult to understand if the provider doesn’t have the necessary background knowledge or experience.