Future Goals of Health Systems: Minimizing Onboarding Time and Creating Comprehensive Credentialing Databases

The effectiveness of healthcare systems relies on efficient processes, particularly in the onboarding of new medical providers and the credentialing of healthcare professionals. These procedures are crucial for maintaining standards in patient care, maximizing operational efficiency, and addressing regulatory demands. This article discusses goals to reduce onboarding time and create credentialing databases in the United States, focusing on key trends, challenges, and the role of technology.

The Importance of Streamlined Onboarding

Onboarding is crucial in integrating new healthcare providers into medical organizations. It includes activities like credentialing, which verifies the qualifications of medical staff to ensure they deliver care appropriately. Traditionally, onboarding has taken four to six months, affecting productivity and revenue. A delay in scheduling patients, especially in high-revenue specialties, can lead to substantial financial losses, often over $65,000 per week.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for efficient processes and showed the benefits of integrated credentialing systems. Systems that adopted consolidated credentialing methods saw significant improvements. For instance, a Midwestern health system saved over $3 million by cutting their credentialing application processing time from 41 days to 28 days, proving effective in both cost and efficiency.

Current Challenges in Onboarding

Despite improvements, challenges persist in the onboarding process. Some issues include duplicated tasks, frustration among healthcare professionals, and revenue losses due to delays. Many hospitals still use fragmented systems, leading to inconsistencies in credentialing new providers.

In these settings, keeping accurate and up-to-date practitioner information is important. A lack of a unified approach can create errors from manual data entry, increasing payment refusals and administrative delays.

Future Goals for Health Systems

To address these challenges, healthcare organizations must focus on reducing onboarding timelines and developing comprehensive credentialing databases. This approach requires collaboration and the adoption of technologies that simplify processes for everyone involved.

Goal 1: Minimizing Onboarding Time

Reducing onboarding time goes beyond improving internal procedures; it directly impacts patient care. Faster onboarding for healthcare providers means quicker patient access to care. Health systems aim to reduce timelines from four to six months to just 45 to 60 days. Achieving this goal involves strategic planning and technological investments.

• Integration of Practices: Organizations should aim for medical staff integration across the system. This consolidation can standardize processes, lower administrative costs, and provide patients with consistent care across facilities. A large health system with 89 hospitals demonstrated significant savings from unifying credentialing services.
• Automated Systems: Provider onboarding software is vital for cutting down onboarding time. Automating key parts of the process, such as credential verification and document management, allows healthcare organizations to shorten timelines. Providers also benefit from a smoother experience, which is essential in an industry with high turnover rates.

Goal 2: Creating Comprehensive Credentialing Databases

A comprehensive credentialing database is necessary for healthcare providers. These databases help maintain accurate and complete information about medical staff and support compliance with regulations.

• Establishing a Single Source of Truth: Organizations should create a single, accurate database for credentialing information. This approach reduces the risks of different systems, minimizes data duplication, and ensures access to current provider information. Accurate data helps hospitals stay compliant with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services standards.
• Comprehensive Data Management: The healthcare sector needs data-driven credentialing practices. As organizations manage complex regulations, a well-organized database aids onboarding by offering central access to necessary practitioner documentation.
• Engagement and Feedback: Involving healthcare providers in the credentialing process encourages trust and collaboration. Gathering feedback on their experiences can lead to useful improvements that benefit the system.

The Role of Technology and Workflow Automations

A key part of achieving these goals is incorporating technology and workflow automations. Healthcare organizations must adopt technological advancements that enhance credentialing and onboarding.

Enhanced Automation and AI in Onboarding

• Automated Credentialing: Automation can help reduce administrative burdens in the credentialing process. By using systems that automate document collection and verification, organizations can accelerate onboarding and lower the chances of human error.
• Centralized Document Management: Centralized systems improve compliance and oversight. They ensure that necessary documents are accessible, which leads to better accuracy during audits. Such technologies can also notify staff about expiring credentials, helping keep provider information current.
• Seamless Integration with Existing Systems: It’s essential for onboarding software to work well with other internal systems. Compatibility issues may cause disruptions in established workflows. Health systems should choose technologies that prioritize strong integration capabilities.
• Leveraging Data Analytics: Incorporating analytics into onboarding processes can reveal bottlenecks and inefficiencies. Organizations can track progress in real-time, leading to proactive improvements. Data-driven insights help enhance hiring practices and promote better outcomes.

Raising Provider Satisfaction through Technology

Improving the onboarding process can raise provider satisfaction. When new hires encounter streamlined processes, they feel more welcomed. Self-service features that allow providers to track their onboarding progress can also enhance their experience.

Healthcare organizations should ensure clear communication, informing practitioners of what is expected during the credentialing process. This approach builds a sense of belonging and loyalty among providers, which can improve retention rates.

Summing It Up

The future goals of health systems are to reduce onboarding time and create comprehensive credentialing databases. By focusing on efficient processes and integrating technology, healthcare organizations can improve operational efficiency and patient care.

As the healthcare field changes, efficient credentialing and onboarding will be essential, requiring active involvement from all stakeholders. A unified onboarding experience benefits healthcare providers and enhances patient care. The future of healthcare will depend on effectively onboarding skilled professionals who can deliver quality care smoothly and efficiently.