It's more critical than ever to get credentialed medical staff to work quickly, which is why automating the credentialing process can be a crucial step for healthcare organizations. 

However, there are now several credentialing software providers on the market, some generic, some medical credentialing-specific software. In this article, we will explore the criteria you should be exploring when deciding which credentialing software to invest in.

We have put our heads together and come up with 6 criteria that you should use when selecting your automated medical credentialing software.

1 – Migration made simple.

If you want to increase your chances of a smooth and successful transfer, search for a provider who:

• Has experience integrating software with healthcare companies of comparable size and scope to yours. Each organization is faced with unique challenges; however, working with a provider who has faced similar challenges will give you every opportunity for a smooth migration.
• Has a tried-and-true method for transferring historical data. Work with medical credentialing experts who have a proven system for historical data transfer to ensure your data stays secure.
• Offers a detailed project plan that includes dates, technical specifications, critical roles and duties, training material, and so on. Don't take migration lightly, have the right plan in place.
• Provides a specialized implementation specialist to guide you through the process. Effective migration requires expertise and work with providers with those skills available to ensure a smooth migration.

Most clients we work with can't afford to have time wasted on migrating from a current, more manual-based credentialing process to our platform; they need to hit the ground running. That means having their credentialing team fully trained and ready to adopt, as well as having the platform bespoke set up to ensure migration happens smoothly.

2 – Operation in the cloud (so you can work from anywhere)

Healthcare firms are more aware of the benefits of cloud-based over on-premise solutions since abruptly turning to remote labor in early 2020. Employees are no longer bound to their office desktops because cloud-based applications may be accessed over the internet. Furthermore, data stored in the cloud is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, which is very important in time-sensitive situations.

Another important factor to consider is security. It's critical to choose a vendor that has gone above and beyond to protect the security of your data in the cloud, such as being HIPAA compliant and IG SoC security compliant.

The data stored within this platform is sensitive and needs to be secured appropriately. Ensure that you've covered all your bases when choosing medical credentialing software for your business. 

3 – An Interface that is simple to use

Next, search for a credentialing solution with a user interface that is both current and simple to use. Clear, understandable language and well-organized dashboards are examples of user-friendly interface elements. The solution should ideally be ADA compliant, which means that people with disabilities will have the same level of ease of use as people without disabilities.

Well-designed technology leads to more streamlined processes; you should be able to get the information you need quickly and efficiently while dealing with the product. Furthermore, the easier an interface is to use, the faster you can train new employees.

Ultimately, one of the main objectives is to make the credentialing process faster and, therefore, more cost-effective. To achieve this, the credentialing platform should be intuitive and easy to adopt. 

4 – A remote solution for applicants

By a) making it easy for applicants to see what's expected of them and b) giving applicants a digital mechanism to submit that information directly to you, the solution you choose should decrease the back-and-forth that's generally required for completing applications.

Even better, digital applications allow both your staff and the provider to store their data in a single, easy-to-access location (without the need for overflowing file cabinets). This means that instead of faxing or reprinting documentation, providers can communicate their information online when it's time for re-credential.

This is repeated when looking to re-credential medical staff in line with the appropriate regulations. It makes the process as painless as possible.

5 – First Class Support

Helpful materials and instructional films can be found in online knowledge bases. This set of support choices will help your team, and providers get the most out of your new credentialing procedure.

Remember that the automated solution you choose should make the credentialing process easier for those who are executing it. You can confidently move forward in identifying an automated credentialing solution that is a fantastic fit for your organization if you keep that in mind, as well as the other criteria listed above.

6 – Medical Specific Credentialing Software

There is some debate regarding which type of credentialing solution would be a better fit. A more generic credentialing solution, which often has a lower price point, or a medical credentialing-specific platform that might require more investment. 

In most cases, using a generic credentialing software will have limitations that require a manual process to co-exist alongside the platform. This not only results in time being spent on managing and updating the manual processes, which is a cost of labor, but it also results in an increased risk of data security.  

Most importantly, it slows down the process and makes credentialing less effective, which will have an impact on an organization's ability to recruit and credential resources at a speed that meets their resourcing requirements. 

There are other criteria to consider when selecting the right credentialing software for your healthcare organization; however, from our extensive experience working with organizations, these are the set of criteria that should be non-debatable. 

Smooth migration and UX are critical to ensure the new platform is launched and adopted with a minimum amount of negative impact on ongoing credentialing obligations. Having a cloud-based solution that's mobile means that both credentialing personnel and candidates can get the most from the platform wherever they are. 

Finally, even with the best migration and a platform customized for maximum efficiency, you should demand only the very best support. As potential issues arise, you should have access to a support team that ensures credentialing isn't impacted.