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Healthcare Credentialing: A Comprehensive Overview

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 18:08:52 GMT

It is hard to stay on top of ever-changing processes. As Community Healthcare Center (CHC) and Federally Qualified Healthcare Center (FQHC) leaders, you simply don’t have time to spend hours sifting through files and watching webinars to get the information you need for successful credentialing and enrollment.

Our team of experts makes this education a top priority and creates a comprehensive overview of your healthcare credentialing process for you.

What is credentialing?

Credentialing is the process of verifying the qualifications of healthcare providers. This important safety check is the first step before a provider can work in your healthcare organization. It is an essential part of ensuring the safety and quality of patient care. Credentialing typically includes verifying a healthcare provider’s education, training, and experience, as well as their criminal background and professional history through a process called Primary Source Verification (PSV), where the organization doing the credentialing reaches out to the source to verify that the information is accurate as represented by the applicant.

What is credentialing and provider enrollment?

Credentialing and provider enrollment are two related processes that are often used interchangeably. However, there is a difference between the two. Credentialing is the process of verifying a healthcare provider is who they say they are, while provider enrollment is the process of adding a healthcare provider to a health plan's network. Our experts highly recommend integrating the two processes for maximum efficiency and ROI.

Alternative terms for credentialing: Professional credentialing, provider credentialing, and PSV.

Alternative terms for enrollment: Financial credentialing and payor enrollment.

What are the stages of credentialing?

The stages of credentialing are:

Application: The healthcare provider submits an application to the credentialing organization including
Contact information
Current CV
Education and training history
Licensing and certificates
Medical group and hospital affiliations
Board certifications, sanctions, or malpractice history
Proof of liability insurance
Peer references
Verification: The credentialing organization checks that all the above information is correct and up to date.
Approval: The credentialing organization approves the healthcare providers’ application and issues a credential. The credentialing process can take as little as 30 days or as much as 6+ to complete.
Renewal: The healthcare provider must renew their credential regularly, typically every one to two years.

Who does credentialing for new hires?

The responsibility for credentialing new hires typically falls to the HR, billing/claims, or Cred/Enroll department. However, in some cases, the credentialing process may be outsourced to a third-party credentialing organization, like InteCare.

What are the challenges to successful credentialing?

You’ll face countless obstacles to credentialing and enrolling providers. Your staff must stay on top of ever-changing rules and regulations or risk providers falling out of participating status.

Time back and forth: The credentialing process can be lengthy and complex, requiring multiple rounds of communication between the healthcare center and the provider. This can eat up valuable time and resources, especially for small healthcare centers with limited staff.
Specialized knowledge: The credentialing process requires specialized knowledge of healthcare regulations and standards. This can be difficult for healthcare centers to find, especially if they are located in rural areas or have limited resources.
Wearing many hats: Healthcare center staff often wear many hats, which can make it difficult to focus on the credentialing process. This can lead to errors and delays, which can further complicate the process.

Why is credentialing important in healthcare?

Credentialing is important in healthcare because it helps to ensure the safety and quality of patient care. By verifying the qualifications of healthcare providers, credentialing protects patients from harm and ensures that they receive the highest quality of care possible.

Credentialing also has many benefits for your revenue cycle and internal operations.

Revenue cycle: Credentialing can help to improve the revenue cycle by reducing the number of denials and appeals. When healthcare providers are properly credentialed, payers are more likely to approve claims. This can lead to faster payments and reduced costs for healthcare organizations.
Efficiency: Credentialing can also help to improve efficiency by streamlining the process of on-boarding new healthcare providers. When credentialing is done efficiently, healthcare organizations can get new providers up and running faster. This can help to reduce wait times for patients and improve access to care.
Time: Credentialing can also save time by systematizing the process of verifying healthcare provider qualifications. When credentialing is streamlined, healthcare organizations spend less time on administrative tasks and more time on patient care.

Interested in learning more about outsourcing healthcare credentialing? Read this blog!

How To Unite Different Teams in Healthcare (Plus InteCare Retreat Photos)

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 15:15:09 GMT

The entire InteCare staff gathered for 3-day retreat

WOW— we’re still feeling rejuvenated from our InteCare staff retreat last month!

At the end of September, the entire team gathered for a 3-day retreat. First off, you may not know this; our organization has 3 separate business verticals that come together under the health and human services umbrella.

1. Credentialing and enrollment - We help healthcare centers streamline their credentialing and enrollment process.

2. Veteran Services - We help Veterans secure permanent housing for themselves and their families.

3. MHFRP - We help behavioral health providers complete the time study to recover critical funds.

It was an extra challenge to bring together, 3 different teams face-to-face for a thoughtfully planned agenda.

Twin goals in developing this retreat

Goal #1 Create a Culture of Positive Intent ( We strongly believe in the power of positive intent which you may remember from an earlier email where I dove deeper into the reason why and how to foster positive intent.)

Goal #2 Unite Organization Around Core Values (Though we feel unified by our golden thread to make complex administrative services simple, our teams feel isolated from each other. And we need a diverse, integrated staff to build each other up!)

The outcome?

The entire staff felt unified and part of the whole. The post-retreat survey revealed a whopping 86.6 strongly agreed that they now felt more connected to coworkers.

We learned that YES it is possible to unite different teams around a shared vision for healthier, stronger communities . And we knew we had to share with you so that you can bring some of these lessons back to your organizations.

Action steps for your healthcare centers

To get started, we curated an agenda that leveraged internal and external talent for highly interactive programming.

First, best-selling author and business coach Andrea Liebross presented on the Think, Feel, Act model and taught the team how to interpret communication with group exercises. This business coaching model is built upon the 3 cognitive processes that develop positivity and performance.

What people THINK
What people FEEL
How people choose to ACT

Activity: Have your team reflect on a past situation and write down their thoughts, feelings, and actions. Discuss together the relationship between the 3 cognitive processes. (FREE worksheet here)

Next, we participated in a fun, highly engaging exercise built around our core values. We each received postcards with our core values and then wrote notes to other team members about how they best demonstrated these values.

Activity: Turn your company’s core values into postcards and have the staff match coworkers with a value. You can do this as a one-time team-building activity or make it a regular practice to feature staff to build a positive culture.

Lastly, Briana Warris, Director Credentialing gave an uplifting talk on positive intent. She used examples of real-world emails and showed us how differently we interpret emails from a less familiar coworker versus a close colleague/friend. We learned how to shift focus from taking things negatively to assuming the intention is positive.

Activity: The best way to counteract negativity is to assume positive intent and re-read the email. If in doubt, call the sender directly or if possible, walk up to your colleague’s desk to settle a misunderstanding rather than letting the situation escalate. Lead by example: keep emails short, direct, and clear. Avoid slang and take the time to proofread!

Take Away Message

At InteCare, we hope you’re feeling inspired and full of positivity. Our team of credentialing experts (and great coworkers!), suggests you pull from these emotional IQ-developing activities for your healthcare center so that you can create strong, unified teams. Please reach out to a member of our team and share how you are building unity in your organization!

Why You Should Integrate Your PSV and Enrollment Processes

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 16:55:53 GMT

Why You Should Integrate Your PSV and Enrollment Processes

There is no room in your Federally Qualified Health Care Center (FQHC) or Community Health Center (CHC) budget for wasted time and higher administrative costs. A smooth professional credentialing and financial credentialing process requires seamless integration. Your team must be able to stay on top of ever-changing requirements for a healthy revenue cycle.

Healthcare organizations spend lots of time documenting: clinical documentation, coding, billing, administrative paperwork, etc. But are they using the best possible tools and systems available to ensure in-network status?

That’s why we leverage our expertise and industry best practices to create an integrated PSV and enrollment process that streamlines procedures to save your time and money. In a head to head study of 2 different CHCs, the CHC that chose to integrate professional credentialing with financial credentialing won.

Head to Head Study:

Company A and Company B hired the same type of provider. Company A asked InteCare to take care of their PSV and enrollment, while Company B hired InteCare only for enrollment, and a third party did their PSV…

Company A saved time by integrating professional credentialing with financial credentialing. While Company B risked this key process being extended by days or weeks due to silos.

Company A rested easy knowing our checklist ensured all documents were collected for both PSV and enrollment in one easy process. Company B risked incorrect or incomplete documents leading to delays in the enrollment process.

Company A got access to a team of specialists who stayed on top of ever-changing best practices and HRSA requirements to remain compliant. Company B risked errors, mistakes, and out-of-date practices creating frustration for their staff and providers.

When the new hire's contact information was given to our PSV specialist, we communicated directly, eliminating Company A's administrative time. Company B risked back and forth between providers, liaisons, and third parties creating delays.

Company A knew that our fee included all costs (i.e. verifying education, board certification, NPDB, etc.) While Company B risked direct fees for various required verifications that add up FAST!

Company A had peace of mind knowing that they received their full file and our team had complete records for backup. Company B risked lost documents and technical issues during an audit creating chaos without a backup.

Federally Qualified Health Care Centers (FQHCs) and Community Health Centers (CHCs) deserve a better, more seamless solution that’s…

SAFE : all organization data is stored in one secure space
FAST : our efficient system makes accessing information quick and easy
PROFESSIONAL : get expert support and direction at your fingertips to mitigate risk

All you have to do is schedule a consult and our team of experts will pinpoint existing obstacles and create a tailored plan for your next hire.

Cliff notes for 2024 North Carolina Medicaid changes

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 23:07:23 GMT

Cliff notes for 2024 North Carolina Medicaid changes

The hardest part of credentialing and enrollment is staying on top of the ever-changing processes. Our expert team keeps up with changes by attending conferences, live talks, and Medicaid webinars, and getting newsletters from relevant associations and insurers.

Download the NCTracks Medicaid “Journey to Modernization” presentation here .

As busy healthcare leaders, you simply don’t have time to sift through packets of information or catch a Medicaid webinar during lunch.

We want the absolute best for you, so we’ve asked Teresa Faulconer, Credentialing and Enrollment Lead Representative to take what she learned during the NCTracks Medicaid Presentation in June 2023 and give us a bite-sized breakdown of the important changes with actionable insights.

Straight from Teresa’s own notes on the North Carolina Medicaid changes:

In 2017, Session Law 2017-57 authorized the replacement of current Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) technologies with modular systems.

2 major benefits of the system change

1. NC Medicaid Managed Care Transformation Roadmap will

a. Ease the provider's administrative burden.

b. Modernize PDM/CVO technologies.

c. Simplify and enable responsive access for Medicaid providers to participate in NC’s Medicaid Program.

2. PDM/CVO will be operational in 2024 and will

a. Align with NC Medicaid Managed Care Transformation Roadmap.

b. Streamline data intake and maintenance throughout the provider lifecycle.

c. Perform provider enrollment and credentialing on behalf of NCDHHS.

d. Detect and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse.

e. Eliminate redundant entry of information.

f. One set of standards.

g. Online portal.

What does this mean for provider data management?

Provider Data Management Credentialing Verification Product Features will include

a. Provider Self-Service Portal

b. Internal Portal

c. Call Center

d. Administrative Functionality

e. Credentialing Verifications

f. Credentialing Committee

How will NCDHHS acquire, test, and implement the new PDM CVO module?

Stage 1 “Acquire”

Define business-drive requirements and expected outcomes.
Procure solutions from the vendor that provides the best value.

Stage 2 “Configure & Test”

Coordinate with NC Medicaid providers to proactively communicate changes and solicit design input.
The selected vendor will configure the module to meet NC Medicaid needs.
Solicit testing input from various provider communities.

Stage 3 “Implement”

Upon implementing the PDM/CVO, all current recredentialing due dates will remain unchanged.
The provider community will remain informed by way of webinars, arranging training, and frequent communications.
Single Web-Based Application.

Collects all the information needed to meet credentialing standards for all state programs at one time.
Providers new user interface for electronic enrollment process
Auto-populates information maintained in the PDM/CVO platform.
Includes drop-down lists and lookups to populate data elements for valid pre-determined choices.
Permits providers to continuously update information submitted through the PDM/CVO application.
Helps providers track the status of their application for enrollment.
Collaborates with PDM/CVO vendor to resolve issues relating to service, data integrity, complaints, etc.

Read the complete NCTracks Medicaid “Journey to Modernization” presentation here .

To help you and your staff navigate these changes, the NCDHHS will engage in provider-focused education and outreach to help providers transition from the current Medicaid provider enrollment process to the transition period processes and then to the entire centralized credentialing process under full implementation.

Communications will include provider association webinars , ongoing stakeholder meetings , training , and outreach to enrolled providers, prospective providers, associations, and stakeholders . Please visit the NCTracks Medicaid website for updates, and contact us with any questions.

6 Ways to Stay Ahead of Healthcare Payor Disruption + Maintain In-Network Status

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 19:48:01 GMT

6 Ways to Stay Ahead of Healthcare Payor Disruption + Maintain In-Network Status

You may be wondering if keeping up with changes is a waste of your time for an overburdened community healthcare center.

Well, the real question is do you want to take the short, long road, or the long, short road?

The choice is yours.

Either, you can wait for your providers to fall out of network status and then FIX the problem. But, this creates bottlenecks in your revenue cycle and disrupts the delivery of patient care.

Or, you can take the preventative approach . This requires more effort upfront but will save you hours of hassle in the long run.

The secrets out. The preventive approach is the BEST decision for your health center to stay ahead of healthcare payor disruptions.

Our InteCare team builds staying up with industry news, changing processes, and new rules and regulations into their workflow for optimal efficiency. And our experts have broken it down into 6 easy ways to stay ahead of healthcare payor disruption and maintain in-network status:

How to stay knowledgeable and ahead of healthcare payor changes for community healthcare centers:

#1 Sign Up For Newsletters

You can subscribe to newsletters from all primary care associations for the states you’re working in to stay on top of future changes and updates.

#2 Attend Conference Sessions

Your team can regularly attend conference sessions with live speakers for access to in-depth knowledge and expert Q&A.

#3 Have Face-to-Face Talks with Payors

You can talk with payor reps at conferences to get difficult questions answered and establish relationships for special contacts so you get day-to-day tasks done right and on time.

#4 Attend Live Webinars

Ask your team to attend live webinars, especially for Medicaid and Medicare, to gain knowledge of upcoming transitions within a variety of processes.

#5 Be Hands-on in Portals, Every Single Day

You can be hands-on in various payor portals daily to develop expertise and maintain fluency in programs.

#6 Foster Relationships with Key Contacts

Build and maintain relationships with others in the industry in multiple states to ensure a high level of knowledge of state-specific requirements.

We get it. It feels overwhelming and is another thing to add to your TO-DO list. If you prefer to hand off this administrative burden, simply partner with InteCare for a better, more seamless solution that’s…

SAFE: all organization data is stored in one secure space

FAST: our efficient system makes accessing information quick and easy

PROFESSIONAL: get expert support and direction at your fingertips to mitigate risk

Schedule your FREE Consultation with Tricia Paul, Director of Credentialing, and get the help you need to stay ahead of healthcare payor disruption, maintain in-network status, and maximize revenue!

An Advanced Guide to Successful Healthcare Audits

Mon, 01 May 2023 20:19:30 GMT

An Advanced Guide to Successful Healthcare Audits

We know what you’re thinking. Do we really have to talk about audits? Can’t we just pretend they don’t exist?

One method is to focus on the short term. You can painstakingly gather stacks of documents and then hope for the best. At InteCare, we’ve operated in the healthcare world for a while. So we know there will always be times this works out. And there are certainly advantages to using your tried and true method.

But we’ve found the most successful healthcare audits happen when leaders leverage best-in-breed tools…

Automation tools eliminate tedious manual processes and the risk of human error.

Standardized workflows built for your specific healthcare organization’s technology and processes. No more one-size-fits-all!

Data integrity with the right information delivered to the right people for peace of mind.

Managed tasks so that everyone can meet deadlines and understand priorities for optimal efficiency.

Our team has spent decades helping FQHCs and CHCs pass healthcare audits. These are complex and STRESSFUL processes that are vital for funding. To help you pass healthcare audits with confidence, we have created an advanced guide:

It’s not too late to get expert help with your healthcare audit, you can get started right away by scheduling a consultation. Our team will handle this hefty administrative burden so that you can maximize revenue, confidently run your healthcare center, and improve patient and provider satisfaction. Get started here .

There’s no room in your budget for corrective action from failed audits. To successfully pass healthcare audits, you must meticulously maintain records. Your team must be able to produce requested files on the spot for auditors.

That’s why we leverage our expertise and best-in-breed technology to create an outcome-driven HRSA audit process for every stage:

FQHCs and CHCs deserve a better, more seamless solution that’s…

SAFE : all organization data is stored in one secure space

FAST : our efficient system makes accessing information quick and easy

PROFESSIONAL : get expert support and direction at your fingertips to mitigate risk

All you have to do is schedule a consultation and our team of experts will pinpoint existing obstacles and create a tailored plan for your next HRSA or oth er accreditation organization audit.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology Disrupts Healthcare. Get Ready With 5 Strategies to Adapt

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 18:21:36 GMT

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology Disrupts Healthcare. Get Ready With 5 Strategies to Adapt

AI-powered health tech is disrupting healthcare

Technology is supposed to make our lives easier. And it does… Until you can’t keep pace with advancements. Then, you’re forced to operate using dated or disconnected digital systems.

At InteCare, we’ve seen incredible transformations in healthcare technologies, but we’ve also seen how challenging it can be to create widespread acceptance for new systems and tools.

The reality is it is difficult to get everyone on board with health tech solutions when…

They don’t think it’s helpful
It’s unfamiliar
They don’t see what's in it for them

Life-changing AI healthcare solutions are on the market right now

As healthcare leaders, we know that AI is not just the future, but it is the now. We are responsible for leading the way for AI to revolutionize healthcare. We have already seen the positive impact AI has had on patients' lives:

Administrative tasks are a breeze with automation software like Olive AI or Qventus’ Perioperative Solutions .

Virtual patient care is transformed through AI and wearable monitors that prevent injury, monitor complex chronic conditions, monitor in-patient safety and protocol adherence, and improve the overall quality of life for patients. This is just the tip of the iceberg as innovators burst onto the scene like VirtuSense , Biofourmis’ virtual care management , and care.ai .

Diagnosis of medical issues is faster and better as AI develops. Viz.ai and Digital Diagnostics are making leaps and bounds in AI-powered medical diagnosis – early reports are more accurate than human observers.

How to get your organization ready to adapt

With a few simple strategies, you’ll have the insight you need to increase the acceptance of AI-powered healthcare technology across the organization, at all levels including, staff and patients.

Use a variety of training to introduce new technologies , both live and on-demand videos, written materials, one-on-one instruction, and most importantly, make sure employees feel comfortable asking for additional help and support.
Actively involve employees in discussions around which technologies to start implementing , encouraging open communications about unmet needs.
Foster a work environment of flexibility and openness to change by developing skills for the successful navigation of change and building resiliency.
Leverage fun and exciting platforms for learning through gamification and incentives.
Role model use of technology at the top by having leaders regularly use new technology and remind employees that help is always available.

Ready to get started? There are SO many innovative Artificial Intelligence health tech solutions on the market and in development. Take a look, explore the options, and shoot us a message with your thoughts!

At InteCare, we offer a hands-off approach to credentialing and enrollment services. You can get started TODAY by scheduling a consultation. Our team will handle this hefty administrative burden so that you can maximize revenue, confidently run your healthcare center, and improve patient and provider satisfaction. Get started here .

7 Must-Ask Questions For Credentialing & Enrollment Process

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 15:57:09 GMT

7 Must-Ask Questions For Credentialing & Enrollment Process

Healthcare credentialing is the process where medical organizations verify the credentials of healthcare providers to ensure they meet all requirements, including licensing, certifications, and skills to provide safe quality patient care.

It is a long, tedious process often involving time spent researching and staying on top of ever-changing rules and regulations. This is why many FQHC and CHC leaders outsource credentialing and enrollment services to experts who have extensive experience with these complex processes.

Our team of credentialing experts has compiled a list of our most frequently asked questions by FQHC and CHC leaders looking to outsource this hefty administrative burden.

Check out our short and sweet list of FAQs:

#1 H ow long does it take to get a provider enrolled with payors?

90-120 days, varies, based on how quickly the provider turns over information, when the application is submitted, and the payor. Get PSV done at the same time and maximize efficiency!

#2 Do you provide re-credentialing services?

YES! Never worry about keeping track of which provider is up for re-credentialing. We make sure credentialing is done right and on time.

#3 Do you gather all provider information or do we have to?

We are happy to take on the burden of gathering information directly from the provider so you get more time back.

#4 When do you like to start the process for a new provider?

When you know you want to hire a provider—way before they come on board! Simply give us their personal email for a seamless onboarding process.

#5 How do you determine rates?

As a non-profit, we are committed to keeping our fees low. We understand there is turnover in the FQHC world so we offer monthly pricing based on the actual number of providers on your staff.

For example, if you have 49 providers in January and 50 in February, you’re only billed for the 49 providers one month and 50 the next. .

#6 How long is organizational onboarding?

Depending on the size, it takes 60-90 days until fully onboarded, so that we have everything accurate for payors and ensure the success of your revenue cycle.

#7 Which states can you provide credentialing services in?

We service all 50 states. Our team of experts will learn your specific state requirements and stay on top of the ever-changing rules for you.

The Takeaway

There is no room for course correction when it comes to your operational budget. Wasted time researching leads to higher administrative costs for you.

FQHC and CHC already operate on tight budgets and limited resources, and simply cannot afford missed deadlines, errors, and loss of revenue.

Are you using credentialing experts and the best available tools for this critical process?

InteCare curated an expert team to help you streamline these complex internal processes and maximize your revenue cycle.

InteCare has served over 3,000 providers.
All 50 states are serviced.
100% of health plans serviced.

You need someone in your corner who understands the unique challenges of credentialing and enrollment.

Remember it’s no longer just about your organization...it’s also about your community.

Are you ready to confidently run your healthcare center, maximize revenue and improve patient and provider satisfaction? All you have to do is schedule a consultation to get started.

✔️ Initial enrollment with all payors, Medicaid and Medicaid Managed Care Organizations, Medicare and other Medicare Insurance, and all commercial insurers

✔️ Maintain credentialing requirements for each licensed provider throughout the year, including CAQH

✔️ Re-credentialing

Deciding Between In-sourcing VS Outsourcing Credentialing Services? Start Here

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 15:10:20 GMT

Deciding Between In-sourcing VS Outsourcing Credentialing Services? Start Here

As visionary leaders, innovators, and healers, you already know that a smooth provider credentialing and payor enrollment process is the key to a healthy revenue cycle. And you also know there are exactly 2 choices when it comes to ensuring providers are properly credentialed and enrolled with each of your payors: In-source or Outsource .

At InteCare, we get it. The daily grind of running your health care center leaves very little time for changing methods of tedious administrative tasks like provider credentialing and payor enrollment. PLUS, A lot of healthcare leaders put off outsourcing credentialing services since they think it will cost more and give them less control.

Here is a simple cost comparison to help you crunch the numbers and see how outsourcing credentialing services can give you a solid foundation to confidently run your healthcare center.

Still unsure? Let’s take a deeper look:

In-sourcing with a full-time employee

Huge Overhead: You’ll have to pay employee benefits, salary (+ salary taxes), the upfront cost of software, monthly software fees, and IT costs.
High Turnover: The reality is that healthcare (like every other industry today) is struggling to keep employees. You’ll face the hidden costs of time spent hiring and training new employees.
Competing Demands: Your full-time employee will likely wear many hats in the office and have other responsibilities in addition to provider credentialing and payor enrollment. Without specialized knowledge or experience, there is a greater risk of mistakes.

Outsourcing to a team of credentialing experts

Cost-effective: You’ll have a monthly fee that charges only for providers on staff that month. No employee benefits. No salary. No software costs.
Extensive Experience: You’ll have access to a large pool of talented provider credentialing and payor enrollment professionals across the nation. PLUS you’ll benefit from their established relationships with payors.
Full-time Team: With an entire team dedicated full-time to provider credentialing and payor enrollment, regular meetings, and your own assigned liaison, you’ll cut out costs and streamline internal operations with credentialing done right and on time!

Conclusion? Outsourcing credentialing services is faster, cheaper, easier, and better.

Even if you decide to stay in-house, there is a limited knowledge pool of complex regulations and different states. It is HARD (read nearly impossible) to find staff in rural areas with credentialing experience! When you grow and expand into new territories, your full-time employee will have to learn new, unfamiliar states, wasting time and risking denials.

Now if you HIRE experts…And give yourself permission to hand off this overwhelming administrative burden…The truth is, you will maximize your return and experience higher profit margins so you can confidently run your healthcare center while boosting patient and provider satisfaction!

Ready to move from FRUSTRATED to CONFIDENT? At InteCare, we help healthcare organizations streamline their provider credentialing and payor enrollment process to better serve their community. Together we’ll shatter barriers to care and drive better outcomes for all. All you need to do is schedule a consultation here.

Human-centered Healthcare Design For Wellness And Healing: 6 Tips

Thu, 26 Jan 2023 17:41:44 GMT

Human-centered Healthcare Design For Wellness And Healing: 6 Tips

Community health centers are a vital part of the healthcare delivery system. Your hard work increases access to healthcare services for rural and underserved populations, but running a community health center presents many unique challenges including

Securing funding
Staffing shortages and high turnover
Keeping pace with progress in medical science
Addressing healthcare disparities in marginalized populations

You have a lot on your plate just to keep your healthcare center running smoothly. So I bet the last thing on your mind is design, but it can be super beneficial to your community to make healthcare design choices that promote wellness and healing.

Even if you don’t have the resources for a full clinic makeover, you can implement 6 simple solutions to create a calm, inviting atmosphere that boosts patient satisfaction and fosters an environment of wellness.

(PLUS, you’ll discover benefits are twofold, also improving staff satisfaction and wellbeing!)

#1 Increase natural light for overall comfort and reduction of stress

Lighting is much more than simply illuminating dark spaces. Lighting stimulates the production of serotonin, AKA the happiness hormone, and melatonin, responsible for regulating sleep. In addition, reduced lighting leads to fluctuations in cortisol levels, the stress hormone, creating many ill effects, including drowsiness.

Critically, the body's natural response to light is what regulates our biological clock —the circadian rhythm—which affects everything from cognition to blood pressure to the sleep/wake cycle. Human-centric healthcare starts with balancing natural and man-made light to boost productivity and enhance mood.

#2 Incorporate local community, history, and traditions for a familiar feel

Community health centers are often a well-known and integral part of the area. Symbolizing the overall well-being of the local community, efforts to include and celebrate the neighborhood’s unique history and traditions in the healthcare design stage create a better patient experience.

When the clinic becomes a gathering point for wellness activities, like yoga and adult education, or even a source for healthy food, there is greater community engagement and more positive outcomes!

#3 Celebrate local landscape and nature by orienting views

Biophilia has become a buzzword in design for a good reason. It has long been known that nature has positive impacts on health and the reduction of stress. So what is biophilia? According to Psychology Today , “biophilia describes the human drive to connect with nature and other living things.”

Studies have proven that human exposure to nature can promote well-being and healing. Therefore, by incorporating nature into healthcare design, you can give your patients and staff all the benefits of human interaction with nature.

#4 Upgrade to ergonomic solutions for both patient and staff comfort

Smart ergonomic solutions can minimize and even eliminate health risks . Product solutions include a range of intuitively adjustable tables, keyboard supports, monitor arms, mobile medical carts, task lighting, etc. Special attention should be made to ergonomics to keep both patients and staff comfortable and safe.

#5 Utilize tranquil colors for walls, artwork, and accents

This is probably the easiest and most widely discussed strategy for creating calm spaces. When you enter spaces that execute tranquil design well, you immediately feel calmer and at peace. But designing for calm goes beyond painting peaceful colors. Thinking back to strategy #4, let natural design dictate color choices and accents within your community health center:

Paint with earthy colors like greens and brown
Incorporate natural elements like trees and plants throughout the clinic
Create spaces that imitate patterns found in nature, like bark, rivers, stars, etc.
Accessorize with natural colored furniture and feature natural elements for decor

#6 Create private, relaxing spaces that give patients and staff respite during times of high stress and anxiety

If you can carve out a relaxation room do it! A dedicated private, relaxing space will deliver a myriad of benefits for patients and staff, like reduction of stress and even elimination of healthcare burnout. If you don’t have the space, you can get creative. For example, you can use balconies, courtyards, extra space in a bathroom, etc.

The key here is to get people to use the space through role modeling. Leadership should regularly use these spaces to encourage use by patients and staff. Staff should be given frequent breaks and opportunities to safely recharge, as well as training to identify patients in need of privacy and offer them access to these wellness spaces.

The takeaway:

There are SO many healthcare design strategies that can create a calmer, more positive environment for better outcomes. But ultimately it starts with a shift to human-centered healthcare design. Let your community’s heart and soul inspire healthcare design that promotes greater wellness.

At InteCare we help healthcare organizations streamline their credentialing and enrollment process to better serve their community, learn more here!