Verifying physician credentials are up to date is an essential process that ensures an ASC is compliant with regulatory standards and is running efficiently, according to MedHQ, an HR management company for ASCs.
They shared the following insights about credentialing oversights on their blog:
1. New physician credentialing. Credentialing a new provider can take up to 90 days, which can delay when new providers are able to start seeing patients. ASC administrators should start verifying training, education, licensure and employment history to streamline the process.
2. Tracking down peer references. Ask physicians to reach out to their peers for references first and give a timeframe for providing them for verification.
3. Documenting long careers. Using EHRs can make it easier to verify where and when physicians have practiced.
4. Staying up to date. ASC administrators must stay on top of which physicians are up for credential reevaluation to stay current with The Joint Commission surveys. Using software to track and monitor deadlines is one way to make the process easier.