To ease strain on the state's healthcare system, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) issued several emergency orders aimed to address continued critical staffing shortages. Since the beginning of 2021, staffing shortages have contributed to the loss of approximately 700 medical/surgical and intensive care unit hospital beds statewide.

We are currently seeking industry experts to speak at our upcoming conference, the 2022 National Provider Enrollment Forum! The Forum will take place September 19-20, 2022, at the Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak. This two-day, can’t-miss event will deliver fresh and valuable content for nearly every title and function in the provider enrollment industry. To apply, click here and fill out the application by Friday, January 28, 2022. Click here for more details. Please contact Son Hoang at shoang@hcpro.com with any questions.

Each organization should have some level of orientation for its physicians, as there are many organizational and regulatory requirements that physicians should be made aware of. MSPs should work with the president of the medical staff, the vice president of medical affairs, and the credentials committee to determine the type of orientation that best suits your organization, as well as what content your organization will include in the orientation.

Trust in the U.S. healthcare system took a hit during the COVID-19 pandemic as many members of the general public struggled with misinformation and conflicting medical advice and guidelines, particularly those in historically marginalized communities. These communities were already vulnerable due to being underserved by healthcare and social service institutions. With this in mind, some in the healthcare industry are making concerted efforts to build or rebuild trusting relationships with these communities.

Join Todd Sagin, MD, JD, for a crash course in negligent credentialing in this 30-minute webinar. Negligent credentialing claims are on the rise and the pressure on MSPs and medical staff leaders to reduce legal vulnerabilities in their vetting and governance processes is higher than ever. Gain practical guidance for understanding key negligent credentialing concepts and avoiding top pitfalls.

Is it time to move toward a centralized verification organization (CVO)? Many organizations are doing so to streamline the credentialing process, reduce administrative redundancies, and lower costs, according to Jodie Chant, MPA/HCA, BHSA, CPCS, RHIT, president of Jodie Chant Consulting/Chant Medical Staff Resources, LLC.