Attestation

A formal written statement by a provider affirming the accuracy and completeness of their credentialing application, including declarations regarding malpractice history, criminal background, licensure actions, and ability to perform essential functions.

In credentialing, attestation means you are formally declaring that the information you provided is true, complete, and accurate. You are putting your name on it. It carries legal weight. There are two main contexts where attestation matters. The first is your CAQH ProView profile. Every 120 days, you need to log in and attest that your information is still current. This is not just clicking a button. You are supposed to review every section of your profile, update anything that has changed, and then confirm it with your electronic signature. If you attest to information that is incorrect and a payer relies on it to credential you, that can create problems ranging from delayed claims processing to contract termination. The second context is the credentialing application itself. Every payer application includes attestation questions. These are yes or no questions covering things like: Have you ever had your license revoked or suspended? Have you ever been convicted of a felony? Have you ever been excluded from Medicare or Medicaid? Have you ever had hospital privileges denied or revoked? Have you ever surrendered a DEA registration while under investigation? These questions matter because answering them incorrectly, even accidentally, is considered material misrepresentation. Payers take this seriously. A provider who answers "no" to a question about past malpractice claims when the NPDB shows otherwise is going to have a very difficult credentialing review. Best practice: before you attest to anything, read every question carefully and check your records. If you are unsure about something from 15 years ago, look it up. It is better to disclose something and explain it than to omit it and have the payer find it during primary source verification.