Keys to a Better Privileging Process

What separates expert physicians from the crowd? A rigorous process where they have to demonstrate continuous evidence of competency under peer review. Which is all to say, the tests don’t stop after med school. But the difference is that when it comes to processes like privileging, you won't be tested alone. Find out how your recruiter helps support you, and what you can do to ensure smooth, error-free privileging.

What is Hospital Privileging?

Physician privileging is a process in which health care providers grant a physician authorization to perform specific types of patient care. This process is complex and painstaking because it’s essential to ensuring patients receive the best possible care in every interaction. Physicians not only have to have a spotless record, but are continuously monitored to assess their performance, knowledge and standards of care.

Today we’re going to delve into the privileging process to provide a guide on how it works and the most common questions physicians have about review. 

What Is the Difference Between Credentialing and Privileging?

Credentialing and privileging are part of the same review continuum for every physician, but they aren’t the same thing. Think of it this way: credentialing is like getting a license and proof of drivers’ insurance to drive professionally, but privileging is about having a consistently clean record.

Credentialing is the process where physicians assemble all of their qualifying documents, from their med school degree to their state medical license to their NPI number, and provide those to a prospective employer for verification. From there, medical staff evaluate whether the physician meets the requirements. But also note, when you submit an application for a job, you’ll include your credentialing details and put in an application for privileges at the same time. 

How to Secure Privileges

After putting in your application, you’ll hear back about both credentialing and privileging processes. Your credentialing should come back verified before you receive an interview. But your privileging is an ongoing process specific to your field and the time-to-privilege is often laid out clearly in job descriptions. 

Step 1: Assemble Your Documents and Apply

What should be included in your application packet:

• Documents that speak to your education and training
• Letters of recommendation that speak to both your clinical expertise and standards of patient care
• Board certification
• State medical licenses
• Proof of continuous malpractice coverage
• Current CV
• Copy of Drivers’ License or Passport
• IRS Form W-9
• DEA certificate
• CDS certificate
• ID numbers for Medicare, Medicaid, UPIN etc.
• NPI number

Fill out your application carefully and be sure to verify information is correct before submitting. Credentialing bodies will often go through Primary Source Verification (PSV) to double check a physician’s status with all of the institutions, professional references and governing bodies cited on their documents. 

The key here is to ensure your applications for all of the necessary certifications, licensure and enumeration are already in process before applying and onboarding. This means you must keep track of where these are in the process, and ideally, complete or renew them as soon as possible before submitting your application. 

This part of the process can take a while depending on the institutions listed and other factors. You’ll need to stay on top of your email in case you’re contacted by your prospective employer to provide clarifications. 

If your application proceeds through, you should receive notification that your credentials are all good to go, and an interview can proceed. (Go you!)

Step 2: Privileging Evaluation

Privileging happens in phases, with initial privileging permissions and ongoing evaluation. And one of the best ways to retain newly recruited physicians is to ensure a clear and smooth privileging evaluation process.

Initial privileges come through peer review, in which other physicians, staff and/or patients provide input on your work. You’ll need to establish these privileges before you’re able to perform certain procedures. But in many cases, locums may be granted temporary or emergency privileges with full privileges to follow upon an ongoing professional practice evaluation (OPPE).

Your time-to-full-privilege will depend on factors like your credentialing time, medical staff and the individual health care facility and its governing board. And your privileges might be granted for 30, 60 or even 120 days, depending on the case. 

From there, there are 3 additional types of privilege to be aware of: active or admitting, courtesy and surgical privileges. The first includes the ability to admit patients directly, without having to route them through an ER or other emergency admittance. For this one you should also know who the hospitalist is and how admissions are routed through them. Courtesy privileges empower physicians to see patients offsite and speak with them about care, but not provide treatment. And surgical privileges ensure a physician can perform outpatient surgery procedures.

What is the 30-Day Rule of Privileging?

We know recruiters talk about the 30 day rule a lot, but that’s because it’s important for contractors. 

You have the ability to make changes to your contract (most commonly, adjustments to your schedule) 31 days outside of your first scheduled shift. If something happens within that 30-day window regarding anything ranging from pay discrepancies to scheduling or privileging issues, you might get your contract pulled by the health care provider. You’ve heard of “quiet quitting”-- but allowing a privileging process to drag on during the 30-day window can be a form of quiet contract cancellation.

That’s why you want to have all your ducks in a row from the get-go.

What Happens if There Is a Privileging Dispute?

Disputes are never fun, but having an advocate in your corner can make all the difference. And that’s where we come in. At Era, our expertise in both credentialing and privileging helps to smooth the way for physicians so you can get back to doing the work that matters most. 

Occasionally, a privileging dispute will arise that requires immediate attention and resolution. We uphold the highest standards to ensure challenges are resolved quickly and that physicians have the support they need to thrive.

We’re Your Privileging Advocate 

Physicians like you are the first line of advocacy for patients and you deserve a champion who knows how to move strategically and stay on top of every detail. Whether you’re gathering credentialing documentation or staying on top of the privileging process, we provide the 24/7 support you need to thrive. (Yes, you can call whether you need to vent or you’re celebrating a big win.)

Reach out today– and let us sweat the details.