Credentialing for healthcare providers, hospital groups and facilities is a tedious task that often requires a team of specialists to handle all the on-boarding information, as well as updates throughout the year. As of April, 2018, CMS now mandates that providers maintain accurate information and timely updates. Providers and facilities that do not keep up with these updates risk having their in-network status (with insurance companies) taken away, as well as fines and penalties.
We have composed some of the most popular questions and concerns that your office may have in choosing a group to credential your providers.
Medical Credentialing On-Boarding Process
1. Turn-around time: 24 hours
- New Provider: Using primary source verification, we are able to pull most of your provider’s information within a few hours. If more information is needed from the provider or facility then we can gather that information quickly by sending you a secure link with information needed to send back.
- Resolve a credentialing issue: Our credentialing applications are tailored to the insurance companies specifications. If there is wrong information or information missing then the application cannot be sent out without it being corrected. The turnaround time would be the same day for us. If there was information lacking from the provider then they would get a same day email with information needed and a secure link to add the information.
2. How to send and receive applications and required documents
Most of the information will be gathered via primary source verification. This is the most up to date accurate information that can be populated. In most cases it has more up to date information than what the provider has available to give us. All applications will be generated electronically and able to be signed electronically.
3. Availability for participation in our on-boarding meetings
We are available five days a week. Monday through Friday, plus Saturday mornings for any conference calls. We would be happy to accommodate your requests.
4. What distinguishes us from our competitors?
- Primary source verification, we are alerted to any changes in the providers license, credentialing, DEA, CAQH, NPPES etc., the same day it is changed in their systems. This is usually weeks before the facility or provider is even aware anything has changed. This allows us to alert you and the provider of any credentialing, licensing, certifications, and board expiration’s that come up in a timely manner so we can correct them and keep your providers and facility in full compliance.
- We are able to tailor credentialing applications to the insurance companies specifications so that there is little to no denials.
- We have electronic signature capabilities on all credentialing applications that can be sent directly to the provider through secure email. We are also able to provide each on-boarded provider with their own credentialing secure email if your facility would like.
- Most everything that we do is electronic, which will eliminate most, if not all, need for paper forms or paper signature requests.
- Provider /Facility and its managing employees would have access to our secure software platform for you to view and print any and all provider information, licenses etc., that you may need to keep on file.
- We can provide you reporting on when applications have been sent, viewed by the provider, signed by the provider, accepted by the insurance company. We keep track of every email, signature, view, acceptance, denial, and more. All communication is auto-documented and made available for you and your staff to see. Transparency and communication are very important to us.
- We are able to integrate with CAQH so there are timely automatic updates as soon as the primary source verification has also been updated. In fact, we’ve developed a CAQH ProView Form in order to assist healthcare providers in creating or updating CAQH ProView / Provider Data Portal accounts.
- We are available to speak with you 6 days a week.
5. Timeline to provide services from date contract is signed
(Once a contract to provide credentialing services is signed and the Excel spreadsheet is sent over with detailed provider(s) information, the timeline would be as follows):
- Providers would be complete and added to our software within 5-8 business days.
- By week two you can expect the providers to be integrated with primary source verification, CAQH, NPPES, PECOS, DEA, and other licensing agencies.
- By week three, the credentialing contracts would be generated based on information you provide to us. E-mails would be sent to providers if more information was needed.
- By week four, we would like to see everything submitted and sent out electronically.
6. While we strive to keep within our timelines, we are also at the mercy of the providers responding back to us in a timely manner as well.
- After the first month, we would now be considered fully integrated and working on the current applications sent, maintaining provider compliance with insurance company(s), CAQH, NPPES, DEA, State Licensing.
- Ready to add more providers as needed!
Our staff is here to help you and your office succeed in on-boarding your credentialing. Contact us below.
Medical Credentialing Onboarding FAQ
How long does the credentialing on-boarding process take for a new provider
Most new provider information can be pulled within a few hours using primary source verification. If extra details are needed from the provider or facility, a secure link is sent so the missing items can be gathered quickly. Overall turn-around time for new provider on-boarding is about 24 hours.
What happens if there is a problem with a credentialing application
Applications are built to match each insurance company’s exact specifications, so incorrect or missing information cannot be submitted until it is fixed. When an issue is found, the correction is handled the same day. If information is missing from the provider, they receive a same day email with a secure link to submit what is needed.
How are applications and documents sent and received during credentialing
Most provider data is gathered through primary source verification, which is often more current than what the provider can supply directly. All applications are generated electronically and can be signed electronically. This removes most of the delay tied to paper forms and manual signature requests.
When is the credentialing team available for on-boarding meetings
The team is available Monday through Friday, with Saturday mornings open for conference calls. Meeting times can be arranged around a facility’s schedule and requests.
What makes this credentialing service different from other options
Primary source verification alerts the team the same day a change occurs to a provider’s license, DEA, CAQH, NPPES or credentialing status, often weeks before the facility or provider notices. This allows quick correction of licensing or certification issues so providers and facilities stay in compliance. Electronic signatures, secure provider email accounts, and a secure software platform for viewing and printing records add further convenience, along with reporting on when applications are sent, viewed, signed, and accepted.
Why does keeping credentialing information updated matter
Since April 2018, CMS requires providers to keep accurate information on file and submit timely updates. Providers or facilities that fall behind on updates risk losing in-network status with insurance companies, along with fines and penalties. Regular monitoring through primary source verification helps catch changes before they turn into compliance problems.
Co-Founder and COO of Medwave, bringing more than 30 years of hands-on experience in healthcare revenue cycle management, payer contracting, and medical credentialing.

