Getting your Medicare credentialing applications processed quickly allows you to bill for your providers’ services right away. But even one mistake could slow your enrollments and cost you significant dollars as you wait to rectify these issues and try again.
If you know how to avoid the following five common Medicare credentialing mistakes, you’ll be able to successfully get through the application process faster and see reimbursement flowing through your door.
1. Waiting to Start the Medicare Credentialing Process
You should start working on the Medicare credentialing process the minute your practice hires a new provider. The process begins with collecting information from the physician that you’ll need to complete the application, and that may take time, especially if it requires the doctor to produce items like their medical school diplomas or licensure details. If you wait until the doctor presents for their first day of work, you may have waited too long.
2. Getting Incomplete Information From the Provider
If the provider supplies you with incomplete or inaccurate information, you’ll be forced to slow down the Medicare credentialing process. For instance, if you need their bachelor’s degree transcript and their medical school transcript but you only receive one of the two, you may not be able to get their applications approved swiftly. Provide them with a checklist right away and ask them to meet specific deadlines in supplying it.
3. Missing Minor Details
Sometimes practices are so eager to submit Medicare credentialing applications that they don’t read the fine print regarding what’s required. For instance, if you see a line item stating you need to supply proof of malpractice insurance, you may quickly submit that and assume you’re done. But most of the time, you’ll also need to send a history of malpractice claims. Missing that detail could cause delays in processing.
4. Failing to Track Your Application
Submitting your Medicare credentialing application doesn’t mean you’re all done. You need to track the application every step of the way to ensure the payer doesn’t need more information from you. Always track the application and confirm that it’s moving through the process well.
5. Failing to Follow Up on Requests for Information
If the processing team needs more information, you usually have a limited time to provide it, so always follow up quickly with the information the insurer needs. Missing these requests could cause your entire application to be put on hold, or even denied, meaning you’d have to start the process all over again.
If you want to sail through the credentialing process, you need expert assistance. Let David Zetter, PHR, SHRM-CP, CHCC, CPC be your guide. His insider tips can shave hours off of your enrollment process and get your physicians credentialed faster. Learn these strategies during his latest online training, Head Off Provider Credentialing Headaches with Proven Tracking Tools. Register today!
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