As a physician in training, earning your medical school degree seems like the gold standard. But as a resident, you quickly learn it’s just the first of many benchmarks one must reach in your career in medicine.
While you understandably have a lot on your plate as you finish your training, It is imperative that you do everything in your power to prevent delays and obstacles to employment.
As a medical student, it is imperative to be proactive about credentialing during the final year of residency. Proactive planning can help you save time and ease stress.
However, navigating the credentialing process can be daunting.
Below we cover 5 credentialing tips for medical residents, fellows, and new providers.
5 Credentialing Tips for Medical Residents
1.) Understand the Basics of Credentialing
As a medical resident, it is important to have a basic understanding of how the credentialing process works and all that it entails.
Credentialing is the process of verifying the professional qualifications(such as education, licenses, certifications, work history, and references) of medical providers and is required by most medical facilities and services, including hospitals and health insurance companies.
This includes primary source verification, which is the validation of a provider’s credentials through direct contact with the person or organization that originally issued the information.
Analyzing the provider’s documents through a credentialing process guarantees that they are both legitimate and up-to-date.
Before you can begin practicing as a new provider after your residency, you will need to complete this lengthy process.
2.) Prepare your Documentation Early.
Now is the time to begin gathering all of your credentialing information and documentation.
Credentialing is not only a time-consuming process, it is also an ongoing process. You will set yourself up for success post-residency if you:
- Do not wait until the last minute
- Keep your records up to date
- Secure your references ahead of time
Being prepared with the required documents is the most important step for residents seeking to get credentialed. Ensuring that all of your documentation is up-to-date and accurate will make the credentialing process much more efficient and less painful for you. If a potential employer or hospital needs any material from you, you want to have it on hand and be able to access it ASAP.
The credentialing process for new residents includes verifying information such as:
- Personal Information
- Education, training, and board eligibility or certification
- Licenses and certifications
- Attestations (health, CME, etc.)
- Clinical report cards and performance reviews
- Your malpractice insurance carriers and any claims history
- Names and emails of peers who can provide references
Take particular care to secure your professional references ahead of time. It’s a good idea to obtain additional references than required so that if one is not available it won’t hold up the rest of your application.
As a medical resident, your time is precious. Let our professionals guide you through the credentialing process so you can focus your time and energy on completing your residency and finding a job you will love.
3.) Time is of the Essence.
In most cases, credentialing takes 60-90 days from start to finish, and time is of the essence.
In most cases, the credentialing process can take anywhere from 60-90 days. It can vary depending on what field you seek credentials in, what facility and/or state you are applying to, and whether you have provided them with all the necessary documentation they need.
BUT, in certain situations, the credentialing process can take longer than expected. There are numerous people and entities to contact, and you must factor in the time it takes to follow up with those who fail to respond in a timely manner.
Some healthcare organizations will not schedule your employment start date until they have received all credentialing paperwork from you. For this reason, it is best to begin the application process 90 days prior to your anticipated start date at a new facility, AT THE MINIMUM.
This is why it is crucial to start the credentialing process as a medical resident – so that you can begin earning your salary as soon as possible.
4.) Check and Re-Check for Errors!
One of the biggest credentialing delays is due to incomplete or missing information.
When filling out your applications, be sure to complete them precisely and in full detail. Incorrect information or forgetting to fill out all of the required fields on your application is a preventable mistake that will delay processing.
Before submitting any paperwork, check and re-check for errors! It is also helpful to have an experienced credentialing professional look over your application to make sure you are not missing anything that will cause delays.
Then, make sure you follow up on the status of your application on a weekly basis and track your progress. This will ensure you resolve any deficiencies right away.
5.) Get a head start on the competition.
Get a head start, don’t wait until summer to start the credentialing process.
Remember, there are plenty of other medical residents completing their training at the same time as you. Payers and employers are especially busy in the summer due to an influx of applications in the months following graduation.
April through September is generally a peak period for the volume of credentialing verifications, so if you’re applying during that time, temper any hurried expectations and properly prepare.
Get a head start on the competition by preparing your credentialing work now and avoid the application delays that will inevitably occur due to higher volume.
Credentialing Services for Residents & New Providers
As you can see, credentialing is complex, time-consuming, and exhausting. As a medical resident or fellow, your time is precious. Adding a job search and credentialing work to an already packed schedule can seem overwhelming.
CredentialPro is here to help! Let our credentialing professionals manage the entire process for you so that you can focus your time and energy on completing your residency and finding a job you will love.
Our credentialing team can help you or your practice complete all of your required applications, manage your CAQH profiles, and can even assist with file management!
Our goal is to develop long-term relationships with our clients – assisting new providers through the transition from residency to employment in their profession and helping them maintain compliance with our file management services throughout their careers.
Contact us today to discuss how we can help you through the medical credentialing process, or to learn more about how CredentialPro removes the stress of credentialing for medical residents, fellows, and new providers nationwide.
Request a consultation to discuss how we can assist you with our credentialing service for residents!
