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Healthcare organizations should verify the qualifications of every person they hire to handle patients through credentialing. Credentialing is a lengthy process, and healthcare organizations often hire Credentials Verification Organizations (CVOs) for this task. Here are the roles of credentialing companies in healthcare:
What Is a CVO?
A CVO is an organization that verifies the credentials of healthcare professionals on behalf of healthcare organizations. Services provided by CVOs include verification of healthcare practitioners’ licenses, medical training, work experience, and malpractice insurance. CVOs also check whether an individual has a criminal record or if there are records of them being a person of interest in a medical malpractice suit.
A CVO gets information on healthcare practitioners from exclusion lists, government records, educational institutions, and the medical licensing board. Some CVOs also contact people who can vouch for a practitioner as part of the credentialing process. The credentialing process helps healthcare facilities hire qualified practitioners. It also improves organizations’ compliance with state and federal regulations.
CVOs begin the credentialing process when a healthcare organization hires a new practitioner. The healthcare facility provides the CVO with the employee’s name, license number, and other relevant information. The CVO contacts the appropriate sources to verify the information provided and reports back to the hospital with their findings.
Why Hire a CVO?
Medical credentialing is a process that all healthcare organizations should undertake to uphold patient safety. Credentialing is continuous and many healthcare organizations may need help to keep up with the work required. Most healthcare organizations have not optimized their credentialing process, which results in delays and inefficiency.
Hiring a CVO helps healthcare providers verify all their staff’s credentials with minimal hassle. Here is why it is best to hire a CVO:
Save Time and Money
CVOs streamline the credentialing process, eliminating delays. Their medical credentialing experience also helps them get the information they need faster. Instead of hiring staff for a credentialing department, you can leave the job to a CVO, potentially saving on labor costs.
Improve Compliance
Most CVOs have adopted industry best practices in their credentialing programs. These organizations also stay updated on changes in credentialing standards and regulations. Hiring a CVO may help improve your healthcare facility’s compliance with state and federal medical credentialing requirements.
Reduce Risk
CVOs uphold high standards of accuracy and compliance, minimizing the risk of liability for healthcare facilities. They also have fact-checking systems, making it easier for them to spot fake credentials.
Improve Accuracy
CVOs have access to more informational resources and databases than most healthcare facilities. They are better equipped to verify health practitioners’ credentials accurately.
What Do I Look For in Credentialing Companies?
Here is what to consider before you hire credentialing companies:
Certification
Certification is not mandatory for CVOs. It helps to hire an accredited CVO since the organization has undergone a thorough review process to prove that it meets industry standards. A certified CVO upholds high standards in information verification, data management, and information security.
Most CVO accreditation organizations undertake regular evaluations of certified CVOs. Certified CVOs must always comply with standards and regulations to maintain their certifications.
Experience
Consider whether a CVO has experience credentialing the different healthcare professionals who work in your facility. A CVO that has been in business for a long time will likely have the resources and contacts required to acquire credentialing information for practitioners in all specialties.
Reputation
The CVO you hire should be recognized in the healthcare sector as a trustworthy partner. When interviewing CVOs, ask which healthcare organizations they have worked with. Contact these organizations to inquire about their experience with the CVO.
Services Offered
The services provided by CVOs may impact your organization’s reputation and bottom line. It helps to hire a CVO whose services help you achieve your organizational goals. When interviewing CVOs, ask whether they customize their credentialing program to meet clients’ goals.
Information Management Tools
A CVO may have access to sensitive information like your employees’ license numbers, addresses, and ID numbers. Work with a CVO with robust data management and security tools to keep this information from falling into the wrong hands. Credentialing companies should also have a system for tracking credential document expiry dates.
Solve All Your Medical Credentialing Needs
Medical credentialing helps in upholding the safety and quality of services provided by all healthcare organizations. A CVO takes the work involved in medical credentialing off your plate, allowing you to focus on giving your patients quality care.
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