Credentialing turnaround time means little until you know where the count starts. At Medwave, it starts on the day your complete application is submitted to the payer, and from that day our average is ~85 days.
Key Takeaways
- Medwave’s 85-day average credentialing turnaround is measured from submission of a complete application to the payer.
- Document collection and application prep happen before that point and are tracked separately.
- A turnaround figure from any vendor needs a stated starting point before it can be compared.
- Payers review at their own pace, so individual applications finish sooner or later than the average.
Where Our Credentialing Clock Starts and Stops
Credentialing at Medwave moves through three stages.
- We gather the provider’s documents.
- We prepare the applications and submit them to the payers.
- The payers review the applications.
The 85-day average covers the third stage only, counted from the day of submission.
The first two stages are covered week by week in our provider onboarding post and usually take about four weeks after contract signing. They depend on how quickly the provider returns documents, so we track them separately from the payer’s review time.
Why a Turnaround Number Needs a Starting Point
Two credentialing companies can both quote 85 days and describe different waits. One might count from the day a contract is signed and another from the day an application reaches the payer. Without that detail the figures cannot be compared. Our guide on how long medical credentialing takes covers typical ranges by payer type. This page covers how we count.
What the 85 Days Includes
The count runs from submission through the payer’s credentialing review. That review is the payer’s own process, so each payer sets its pace, and some review applications on committee schedules. An average of 85 days means individual applications finish sooner or later than that figure.
Everything before submission stays outside the count, including the time it takes a provider to send a missing document.
How Providers Can Move the Start Date Up
Because the count begins at submission, the most useful thing a provider can do is get documents to us quickly. Reply to secure-link requests promptly and keep license and DEA records current.
Keep the CAQH profile attested as well. CAQH asks providers to re-attest their profile every 120 days, and a profile with a lapsed attestation can hold up a payer’s review.
Credentialing Turnaround Time FAQ
When does Medwave’s credentialing turnaround clock start?
On the day the complete application is submitted to the payer.
Does the 85 days include the time to collect my documents?
No. Document collection and application preparation happen before submission and are not counted.
Is 85 days a guaranteed timeline?
It is an average across applications. Individual payers review at their own pace, so some applications finish sooner and others take longer.
How long does onboarding take before submission?
About four weeks from contract signing, depending on how quickly the provider returns requested documents.
Why do credentialing companies quote different turnaround times?
Part of the difference can come from where each company starts counting. Ask any vendor whether the number begins at contract signing or at payer submission.
Talk to Medwave About Your Credentialing Timeline
Send us the payers you need and the providers involved, and we will tell you what the first four weeks look like. See how our medical credentialing service works, then call or text (412) 219-4789 or use the contact page.