CPCS Medical Staff Credentialing & Standards Questions and Answers Graded A

CPCS Medical Staff Credentialing & Standards Questions and Answers Graded A Certified Provider Credentialing Specialist Typically employed or contracted by a healthcare organization including, but not limited to, hospitals (health systems), health plans, ambulatory care settings, group practices, and credentialing verification organizations. Initial Appointment / Clinical privileges/ practioners covered according to TJC All licensed Independent practitioners must be credentialed and privileged through the organized Medical staff structure. Initial Appointment / Clinical privileges/ practioners covered according to the NCQA HP's and MBHO's must have documented Credentialing policies and procedures that apply to all practitioners who provide care to the organizations members Initial Appointment / Clinical privileges/ practioners covered according to CMS The Governing body determines, in accordance with Staye Law, which categories of practitioners are eligible for appointment to the medical staff. At a minimum the medical staff must be composed of MD 's and DO's. Verification of Medical education according to the TJC Requires verification from the medical school or accepted PSV TJC Accepted PSV for medical education The AMA, the AOA, and the ECFMG Verification of Medical education according to the NCQA Requires HP/CVO the highest of three levels of education and training. The three levels of education and training as defined by NCQA Graduation from medical or professional school, residency, board certification. Verification of Medical education according to CMS The medical staff must have a mechanism to examine evidence of professional education Verification of postgraduate training according to TJC Requires verification from the primary source or designated equivalent sources. TJC accepted PSV for postgraduate training AMA and AOA Verification of postgraduate training according to NCQA The highest of the three levels of education and training attained. If board certified, than board certification suffices. Verification of postgraduate training according to CMS The medical staff must have a mechanism to examine evidence of training and documented experiences. Verification of board certification according to TJC The TJC standards do not specifically require verification of board certification, if the medical staff bylaws, policies, or rules and regulations require certification. However, it is an expectation that board certification be verified in some manner. Verification of board certification according to NCQA NCQA does not require board certification. If the individual is board certified verification may be obtained directly form the specialty board, AMA, or AOA. ABMS certified Doctor Verification Not recognized by the NCQA as a source for verification of board certification. The site is a consumer reference only. Verification of board certification according to CMS Standards do not specifically mention board certification. The medical staff can not make its recommendation based solely on board certification, but must consider all elements of training and professional education. Verification of current licensure according to TJC Primary source verification is required from the State licensing board where the practitioner is requesting privileges. What four times does TJC require verification of licensure Initial appointment, re-appointment, licensure expiration and when new privileges are requested. Verification of current licensure according to NCQA The organization verifies that the practitioners license is in those states where the practitioner provides care for the organizations members and that the practitioner possesses a valid current license or certification that is in effect and present in the file when the Credentialing committee makes its determination. Verification of current licensure according to CMS The medical staff must have a mechanism to examine evidence of current licensure. NCQA current licensure verification time limit HP/MBHO 180 days NCQA current licensure verification time limit CVO 120 days Sanctions against licensure according to the TJC Before recommending privileges, the following is evaluated: information regarding challenges to any censure or registration, voluntary or involuntary relinquishment of any licensure of registration. Sanctions against licensure according to the NCQA Information on sanctions, restrictions on licensure and limitations on scope of practice for the past five year must be obtained. If the individual was licensed in multiple states during the most recent five years, all states must be queried. Sanctions against licensure according to CMS Entity is silent regarding evaluation of licensure sanctions, however the interpretive guidelines do reference privileging criteria that consider the individuals character. Verification of professional liability/ malpractice coverage according to TJC PSV is not required if the medical staff bylaws, policies, or rules and regulations require professional liability coverage. Source of verification of professional liability/malpractice according to TJC Verification may come directly from the carrier or on the form of a copy of the applicants current professional liability policy binder that shows dates of coverage. Verification of professional liability/ malpractice coverage according to NCQA Verification may come directly from the carrier or on the form of a copy of the applicants current professional liability policy binder that shows dates of coverage. NCQA time limits on professional liability /malpractice for HP/MBHO The credentials information must be valid, current, and no more than 365 calendar days old at the time of the credentialing NCQA time limits on professional liability/malpractice for CVO The credentials information must be valid, current, and verified within 305 calendar days prior to submission to each client. Verification of professional liability/ malpractice coverage according to CMS PSV is not required, the requirement for professional liability coverage is common in healthcare , thus verification of coverage is appropriate. Verification of malpractice history according to TJC The standards are silent regarding the specific method to accomplish this requirement, but it is suggested that the organized medical staff evaluate any evidence of unusual pattern or excessive numbers of professional liability actions resulting in a final judgment. Verification of malpractice history according to NCQA The applicant must provide at least a five-year history of malpractice settlements or judgments. This information is to be verified either through written confirmation from the Malpractice carrier or through the NPDB. NCQA malpractice verification time limits for HP/MBHO 180 days NCQA malpractice verification time limits for CVO 120 days Verification of malpractice history according to CMS Silent regarding evaluation of malpractice history, however does require organizations to be compliant with state and federal law. Verification of work history according to TJC Does not use the term "work history". But does require evidence of current competence. Require that applicants provide a chronological history of education, training and experience. Verification of work history according to NCQA The applicant must provide a minimum of a five-year relevant work history statement on either the application or CV, which allows identification of gaps. Verification of work history according to CMS Does not use the term "work history". But does require evidence of current competence. Require that applicants provide a chronological history of education, training and experience. Initial Appointment/Clinical privileges/ practitioners covered according to TJC All LIPs permitted by law and by the organization to practice independently are granted clinical privileges. Therefore, all licensed independent practitioners are to be privileged. Initial Appointment/Clinical privileges/ practitioners covered according to the AAAHC The organization establishes minimum training, experience, and other requirements (i.e. credentials) for physicians and other healthcare professionals. The governing body (consistent with state law) appoints and assigns and/or curtails clinical privileges of medical staff members based on professional peer evaluation. Medical Education verification according to TJC Requires verification from the medical or professional school or designated equivalent source. Medical Education verification according to the AAAHC Requires verification of relevant education from the primary source or acceptable secondary source (obtaining a verification report from an acceptable entity that has already performed primary source verification). Ambulatory Care: Post-graduate training verification according to TJC Requires verification from the primary source(s). This requirement encompasses internship, residency, and fellowship programs, as well as other training (e.g., postdoctoral programs). Designated equivalent sources for United States and Puerto Rico post-graduate training according to TJC AMA Physician Masterfile and the AOA Physician Database. Post-graduate training verification according to the AAAHC Requires verification of relevant training from the primary source or acceptable secondary source. Board Certification verification according to TJC Verification must be obtained directly from the specialty board. Board Certification verification according to AAAHC The organization establishes a process to review, assess, and validate an individual's qualifications to include certification. According to AAAHC, this must be monitored on an ongoing basis. Current licensure. According to AAAHC, this must be monitored on an ongoing basis. Board certification. Current licensure verification according to TJC Primary source verification is required from the state licensing board when granting clinical privileges, both initially and when considering requests for additional privileges. Board Certification verification according to the AAAHC Verified and documented at the time of appointment. Sanctions against licensure according to TJC The standards are silent regarding the specific method to accomplish this requirement. One way would be to request that the applicant provide the required information. This information also would then be confirmed through the licensing board(s), the FSMB and/or the NPDB. Sanctions against licensure according to AAAHC The standards do not require the obtained information be verified. However, the standards do require the NPDB be queried. Professional Liability/Malpractice Coverage according to TJC PSV is not required. If the organization's governance documents require professional liability coverage, then it is expected that the organization have a method of verifying such coverage. Professional Liability/Malpractice Coverage according to AAAHC The organization requires proof of current medical liability coverage in the amounts required by the governing body. Thereafter, the organization shall monitor on an ongoing basis. This process should occur at a minimum at appointment and expiration. Professional Malpractice History according to TJC Before granting privileges, the organization evaluates professional liability actions resulting in final judgment against the applicant. The standards are silent regarding the specific method to accomplish this requirement. Professional Malpractice History verification according to TJC The applicant is required to report final judgments. This information would be confirmed through a query to the professional liability carrier and/or the NPDB. Professional Malpractice History according to AAAHC At initial appointment, the organization requires the applicant provide written information on professional liability claims history. Professional Malpractice History verification according to AAAHC The standards do not require the obtained information be verified; however the standards do require the NPDB be queried. Ambulatory Care: Current competence for granting initial privileges according to TJC A defined process for assessing competence of LIPs that are granted privileges. Before initial privileges are granted, the organization collects, verifies, and evaluates information on current licensure; relevant training related to requested privileges; current competence and ability to perform the requested privileges. Current competence for granting initial privileges according to the AAAHC The organization establishes a process to review, assess, and validate an individual's qualifications, including education, training, experience, certification, and licensure, along with any other competence-enhancing activities. Current competence is verified and documented through peer evaluation.