If you’re a healthcare provider, an important job of yours is to get credentialed! This lets you accept your clients’ insurance policies and provide them with the healthcare that they need. Unfortunately, credentialing is a long and lengthy process. It takes filling out a number of applications, making a ton of calls, and following up again and again with each and every company you hope to get credentialed with. Here’s a more extensive look at this credentialing process:
1. Ensure you have the proper qualifications.
First, you should make sure you have the proper qualifications before you put all that time and effort into filling out those applications. Qualifications include (but aren’t limited to) your training, licensure, academic background, and registration to practice in your field.
2. Decide which companies you want to network with.
Now is the time to do your research. Which insurance companies do you want to be credentialed with? You can determine the answer to this question by looking into which companies are prevalent amongst those that potential clients use. Or, you can talk to other healthcare professionals in your area to see who they work with!
3. Reach out to these companies.
Once you’ve decided which companies you want to get credentialed with, it’s a good idea to reach out to them. Make sure you have the correct forms, and while you’re at it, you can put yourself on their radar.
4. Fill out the applications.
Now you can get to actually filling out those applications. And you can expect to spend a good 10 hours on each one. Knowing this ahead of time can save you a whole lot of frustration!
5. Follow up.
Instead of assuming your application was received, call each insurance company and ask! It’s possible for your application to land in the wrong department and get tossed aside. So call and confirm it was received and then continue to follow up to check on your application’s progress.
I know it’s easier said than done but the key to making it through this process (without losing your mind) is patience. You need to know that this process takes a long time—you will not get credentialed overnight. It’ll take a few months instead. So, get started on these steps right away. OR, consider getting a little help.
Utilize Our Credentialing Services
Are you feeling a little overwhelmed by the credentialing process? We get it. And we want to help. If you don’t want to spend the time or put in the effort to get credentialed, let us do it for you. Our credentialing team is made up of experienced professionals who are experts at getting healthcare providers on insurance panels. To get started, all you have to do is give us a call at 1-855-664-5154.