• E-mail
• Print
• RSS

Tardy reapplications are not the MSSP's problem

Credentialing Resource Center Connection, June 11, 2003

Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to Credentialing Resource Center Connection!

Dear Credentialing Colleague:

It seems that one of the most common circumstances a medical staff services professional (MSSP) finds him/herself in is presiding over a large number of unprocessed reappointments due to tardy reapplication materials.

While there are many good suggestions for remedying the situation (e.g., levying late fines, allowing the appointment to expire, sending reapplication packets via certified mail, etc.), the following advice from a sage credentials committee chair may be the best I've heard:

"Tardy reapplications are the medical staff coordinator's problem only if he/she assumes they are. But this problem rightly belongs to the chief of staff. The MSSP should communicate to the president of the medical executive committee (MEC) the names of physicians who are too busy, too fed up with bureaucracy, or too forgetful to return the reapplications on time. In turn, the MEC should inform the chief of staff, who should shoulder the burden."

One call from the chief of staff to a tardy physician may easily result in receipt of the needed paperwork. If it doesn't, be assured that the chief of staff would then make it a personal issue.

In the meantime, the MSSP should provide whatever support may be appropriate and concentrate on processing the reapplications of those physicians who understand we live in a complex society that operates under the rule of law.

That's all for this week.

All the best,

Hugh Greeley

Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to Credentialing Resource Center Connection!

• E-mail to a Colleague
• Print
• RSS
• Archive