Question 1

What is credentialing?

Accepted Answer

The credentialing process in healthcare is indeed the systematic collection and verification of a healthcare professional's qualifications, licenses, certifications, education, training, and other relevant credentials. This process is crucial for ensuring that healthcare providers meet the necessary standards and have the appropriate qualifications to deliver quality care to patients. Credentialing is typically carried out by hospitals, healthcare organizations, insurance companies, and other entities to maintain a high level of competence and safety within the healthcare system.

Question 2

Is Credentialing important?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely!

Each of these components plays a crucial role in ensuring that healthcare providers are qualified, competent, and meet the necessary standards to deliver safe and effective care. Here's a breakdown of some key components you mentioned:

Qualifications: This involves assessing the educational background and degrees of the healthcare professional.
Relevant Training: Verification of any specific training programs or courses relevant to their specialty or practice.
Licensure: Checking and verifying that the healthcare professional has the required licenses to practice in their jurisdiction.
Liability Insurances: Ensuring that healthcare professionals have appropriate malpractice or liability insurance coverage.
Professional References: Contacting colleagues, supervisors, or other professionals who can vouch for the healthcare professional's competence and professionalism.
Internships/Residencies/Fellowships: Confirming completion of any required internship, residency, or fellowship programs.
Certification and/or Registration: Verifying any additional certifications or registrations required for the specific specialty or practice.

The credentialing process is a fundamental aspect of maintaining standards and ensuring patient safety in the healthcare industry.

Question 3

What do I need to start the credentialing process?

Accepted Answer

It's a comprehensive list that covers the necessary documentation and information required for credentialing and maintaining accurate professional profiles. This kind of detailed documentation helps in ensuring the credibility and qualifications of healthcare professionals within a network or system.

Training and Education:

Users should provide details about their educational background and any relevant training.

Certifications and Licenses:

Users need to list and verify their professional certifications and licenses.

NPI/Group NPI (If applicable):

Including National Provider Identifier (NPI) information is necessary for healthcare professionals.

Curriculum Vitae (CV):

A comprehensive CV outlining their professional experience, education, and any relevant details.

Malpractice History:

Users should disclose their malpractice history to ensure transparency.

Professional Insurance Liability:

Verification of professional liability insurance coverage.

DEA and CDS Certificate (If applicable):

For professionals authorized to handle controlled substances, providing Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) certificates.

Medicaid and Medicare Provider ID# (If applicable):

If the professional accepts Medicaid or Medicare, their provider identification numbers should be included.

Admitting Privileges (If applicable):

If the professional has admitting privileges at a hospital, this information is needed.

Completed W9:

Providing a completed W9 form for tax purposes.

Completed CAQH (with no errors):

The Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare (CAQH) form needs to be completed without errors. This is often used for streamlining the credentialing process.

Question 4

What is a CAQH and is it relevant to payor enrollment?

Accepted Answer

CAQH serves as a valuable tool in the healthcare industry, contributing to the efficiency and accuracy of the credentialing and payor enrollment processes for healthcare providers. As a centralized repository for healthcare provider information, CAQH offers a platform for providers to submit and maintain their credentialing data in a standardized format

Question 5

How long does it take to create a CAQH?

Accepted Answer

The length of time it takes to complete a CAQH all depends on if the provider has all the required documents and important dates to complete each section.  Providers should view the completion and maintenance of their CAQH profile as an essential step in facilitating smooth interactions with insurance companies and other entities involved in the credentialing process.

Question 6

Do you have to accept every insurance?

Accepted Answer

No. When healthcare providers go through the credentialing and enrollment process, they often have the ability to select the insurance panels or networks they want to join. This allows them to tailor their practice to specific patient populations or demographics and align their services with the types of insurance plans they accept.

Question 7

Do I have to accept Medicaid/Medicare line of business under each payor?

Accepted Answer

No.

Question 8

How long does the credentialing process take?

Accepted Answer

The timeframe of 90-120 days is a common estimate for completing the credentialing and enrollment process with insurance panels. Several factors contribute to this timeline:

Accessibility of Information: The availability and accessibility of accurate information, both from the provider and external sources, play a significant role. Delays can occur if there are challenges in obtaining necessary verification from licensing boards, educational institutions, or other relevant entities.
Errors or Inaccuracy of Information: Ensuring that all submitted information is accurate and error-free is crucial. Any discrepancies or inaccuracies can lead to additional verification steps and prolong the credentialing process.
Provider Document Collection: As you mentioned, the speed at which providers submit the required documentation also affects the overall timeline. Providers who promptly gather and submit all necessary documents can expedite the process.
Verification Procedures: Each insurance panel may have its own internal processes for verifying credentials. Some panels may require additional documentation or conduct more thorough checks, contributing to variability in the time taken for credentialing.
Communication and Coordination: Effective communication between the healthcare provider, credentialing organizations, and insurance panels is essential. Delays can occur if there are communication breakdowns or if additional information is requested.

Question 9

For every insurance panel applied for I will be approved to join their network?

Accepted Answer

No.

In areas or specialties where there is a high concentration of providers, insurance panels may reach a point where they consider the network to be saturated. In such cases, they may close the panel to new providers to maintain network adequacy and prevent oversaturation.

By staying informed about the requirements and preferences of insurance panels, healthcare providers can strategically position themselves for credentialing success. Understanding the dynamics of the local healthcare market and tailoring qualifications to meet specific needs can enhance the provider's chances of acceptance into desired insurance networks.

Question 10

What is NPPES?

Accepted Answer

NPPES is the National Plan and Provider and Enumeration System. This is the system that generates your NPI. Information here must be updated for verification and validation purposes. For continuity of care you should list a direct address to promote interoperability and Health Information Exchange (HIE).

Question 11

Do you provide medical billing?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We provide medical billing utilizing the EHR platform that you are signed up with at the time our contractual agreement.
We have vendor partnership with Kareo EHR and Claims MD

Question 12

Do you need to be recredentialed once in network?

Accepted Answer

Yes.
 
Recredentialing can be required every 3 to 5 years depending on the payor.

Question 13

Is credentialing different from contracting?

Accepted Answer

Yes.
Credentialing is all about verifiying your credentials and contracting is about the agreement with you and authorized representative approving you a participating provider.

Question 14

Can a provider have more than one Individual NPI

Accepted Answer

No.

Question 15

Can you enroll in every panel in every state regardless of your specialty?

Accepted Answer

No.

Question 16

Do I have to be board certified in my specialty to qualify?

Accepted Answer

Board Certification looks good on paper but it is not required.

Question 17

How do you I collect co-pays if I am telehealth provider?

Accepted Answer

It is recommended that you accept payments via Zelle and Paypal. You can also utilize the EHR system that has a payment collection system.

Question 18

Does Preferred Choice Credentialing have a credentialing platform?

Accepted Answer

Yes. 
We utilize Intivia Health Medical Credentialing software to manage all information provided by the providers.

Question 19

Can I bill for my patients before I am in contract?

Accepted Answer

No. You must be in contract prior to submitting a claims.

Question 20

How long does it take a claim to be processed and paid?

Accepted Answer

It can take up to 30 days.
It can take more than 30 days if the claims is not completed accurately and efficientlyh.

Question 21

How long does it take to build a website?

Accepted Answer

It can take up to 30 days.
This all depend on revisioins requested, information submitted and color schematic.

Question 22

Do I need Malpractice to become a Medicare or Medicaid FFS provider prior to enrollment?

Accepted Answer

No.  You are not required to have malpractice insurance in place prior to submitting an individual enrollment

Question 23

If I acquire a license  in another state will my participation transfer over for plans that are available nationwide?

Accepted Answer

No. Medicare applications are the same nationwide but may have a different Medicare Contractor. Medicaid enrollment process is not the same for every state. Some states can take 15 days to process a FFS (Fee For Service)  application or up to 120 days.  For nationwide commercial plans like Aetna, Cigna, United HealthCare, etc, you will need to update demographics and provide supportive documentation. It is very important to know that you can not just be simply practice telehealth across state lines without having the appropriate credentials and meeting the licensing requirements. Some will require that you have a place of service for those patients that want face to face service.

Question 24

Can I  list multiple specialties on my CAQH?

Accepted Answer

You can only have one primary specialty within the CAQH that will recognized as your primary. So if you the insurance application has a direct interface with the CAQH where it pulls in the information automatically. The primary specialty listed is the one that will be recognized.

Question 25

I tried to activate my Availity account and it said that my responses were inaccurate, but they are accurate. What am I doing wrong?

Accepted Answer

You are not doing anything wrong. Availity validates your information based on what is listed on your NPI registry. If your information has not been updated in years it may pose an issue when attempting to create an Availity account.

Question 26

What are your fees for Credentialing?

Accepted Answer

If you are a healthcare provider seeking credentialing services, it's recommended to inquire about the specific fees associated with the process by contacting us via email at preferredchoicecredentialing@gmail.com or zmabillingllc@gmail.com

Question 27

What are your fees for Medical Billing?

Accepted Answer

Although we have a standard price for medical billing, we provide that information at the time of consultation.
Feel free to contact us directly via email at preferredchoicecredentialing@gmail.com or zmabillingllc@gmail.com 
Send an inquiry online at preferredchoicecredentialing.com or zmabilling.com 
Call us at (347) 569-5995

Question 28

Do we credential or provide medical billing services to clients outside of the state of NY?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we have clients in the following states and growing: South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, New York, New Jersey, California, Texas, Maryland,

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