Primary Source Verification for Physicians

For every practicing physician, patient safety and care is of utmost importance. This can only be ensured by verifying the credentials of healthcare professionals, which is why primary source verification is such a vital part of modern healthcare. 

Primary source verification is a process during which a healthcare credentialing organization confirms the accuracy of information provided by a physician. 

Through this process, organizations such as hospitals, healthcare facilities, and other employers can ensure that the physician they hire is qualified and legally allowed to practice in their state. 

By authenticating and verifying a doctor’s credentials, primary source verification reduces major risk for patients, employers and individuals alike. Read on to learn more about the primary source verification process as it pertains to credentialing and how organizations like the Medical Licensure Group can help you through the process. 

What is Primary Source Verification?

Primary source verification (PSV) is a process used to ensure that all the credentials of a physician are accurate, valid and up-to-date. It involves verifying and obtaining official information directly from primary sources such as medical schools, licensing boards, and other relevant institutions. This is done to guarantee accuracy and reliability to protect patients from potential harm and negligence.

The primary source verification process includes checking various aspects of a healthcare professional’s qualifications. Examples include verifying that their medical school transcripts and diplomas are legitimate, verifying their license certifications, confirming their work history, and making sure any other relevant documents are authentic. Not only does this procedure ensure the quality of care a patient receives, but it also helps to confirm that the physician is legally practicing in their field. In addition, PSV can be used to identify any disciplinary action that has been taken against a physician or any possible fraudulent behavior.

In short, PSV is an essential part of safeguarding patient safety by ensuring that doctors have the appropriate training and experience to provide quality care – it serves as an important layer of protection for both patients and healthcare professionals alike.

Primary Source Verification Process

The primary source verification process involves verifying that an applicant’s claimed qualifications and certifications are true and accurate. This means that each of the primary sources must be contacted to confirm the documents provided by the applicant, such as transcripts, training certificates, diplomas, and experience records. As you can imagine, gathering these records can be a labor-intensive and time-consuming task for any organization.

To make the primary source verification process more efficient and effective, many organizations turn to third-party primary source verification organizations. 

These organizations specialize in contacting all the relevant primary sources; they then verify the documents provided and report back with their findings. This reduces the amount of time and effort spent by organizations conducting the credentialing process, while also helping to ensure that only qualified individuals will receive the desired certifications.

Primary Source Verification for Credentialing

To ensure quality of care, hospitals, payer organizations, state medical board’s, and other credentialing bodies require primary source verification (PSV) as part of the credentialing process. 

PSV involves verifying a physician’s educational background, licensing status, training and experience. This includes reviewing original documents (e.g., diplomas, transcripts, licenses, certifications) or contacting the issuing authority directly. 

The most common credentials reviewed during the credentialing process include medical school graduation, licensure exams, American Board Certification, Medical Training Programs and any malpractice suits.

Primary source verification helps to minimize the risk for errors, fraud and abuse when granting physician privileges. It also ensures patient safety by verifying a physician’s qualifications, which is why it is recommended that hospitals review original records before granting privileges.

Primary Source Verification Examples

Primary source verification (PSV) is a crucial step in the medical credentialing process so that any incorrect or falsified information can be identified.

For example, a hospital might discover that a physician doesn’t have the adequate training necessary for their position after conducting PSV. They might also find discrepancies in licensure information or notice that certain degrees or specialties are not up-to-date. These details can be hard to spot at first glance but become clear through rigorous primary source verification.

Common errors found during PSV include outdated certifications, outdated licensing information, inaccurate educational backgrounds, and forged documents. 

All of these mistakes can lead to serious consequences if they go undetected, so proper PSV needs to be conducted whenever a new physician joins a clinic or hospital. By verifying all the credentials with the original sources first, any potential inaccuracies or omissions can be caught before they cause irreparable damage.

How MLG Can Help with Primary Source Verification

MLG offers an extensive range of services designed to help healthcare providers in their credentialing processes. 

Our experienced staff reviews all data associated with a physician or hospital, including medical education, training, board certifications, licensure, malpractice insurance information, and more. 

This can significantly reduce errors and improve efficiency. Having MLG perform primary source verification on behalf of your organization will add an extra level of protection to the credentialing process and ensure the accuracy of all credentials. We also provide consulting services to help you better understand the complexities of the credentialing process.

Simplify Your Credentialing Process with MLG

At MLG, we understand that your time and resources are precious. With our comprehensive primary source verification processes, physicians and hospitals can rest assured knowing they have the qualified staff they need – without sacrificing time or money.

We’ll help you painlessly navigate the primary source verification process and work with you to streamline your operations and set you up for success in the long term.

To learn more about how MLG can help your hospital system or organization with primary source verification, call 850-433-4600 today.