Trends in health care practitioner credentialing.

Once a risk management process limited to hospitals, the practice of practitioner credentialing has expanded to include many other health care organizations, including insurers, health maintenance organizations, preferred provider organizations, management services organizations, medical groups, and independent practice associations. Standards set by recognized accreditation bodies, including the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (Joint Commission), National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), and American Accreditation Health Care Commission/Utilization Review Accreditation Committee mandate a substantial effort to properly evaluate the credentials of health care practitioners. A sector of commerce called the credentials verification organization (CVO) industry has undertaken the mission to make the process of practitioner credentialing more consistent and efficient, faster, and less expensive.