Verification of Employment

The process of confirming a provider's work history by contacting current and previous employers, a required step in the credentialing verification process.

Verification of employment is part of every credentialing process. The payer or CVO contacts your current and previous employers to confirm that you actually worked where you said you worked, for the dates you listed, in the role you described. Most credentialing standards require verification of at least five years of work history, with no unexplained gaps. NCQA requires that work history be verified for the most recent five years. Hospitals may require a longer history, sometimes going back to the completion of training. The verification process involves contacting the human resources department or medical staff office at each employer listed on your application. They confirm your dates of employment, position or title, and whether you left in good standing. Some verifications are done by phone, some by fax, and some through online verification services. Gaps in work history are the most common issue that causes delays. If your application shows a six-month gap between two jobs, the payer will ask you to explain it. Common acceptable explanations include: studying for board exams, parental leave, personal health issues, career transition, extended travel, or waiting for credentialing at the new position. Whatever the reason, you need to provide it upfront on your application rather than waiting for the payer to ask. Former employers that have gone out of business or merged with other organizations create verification challenges. If the CVO cannot reach the employer to verify your work history, they may ask you for alternative documentation like W-2 forms, tax returns, or a signed statement from a colleague who can verify your employment. Keep contact information for every place you have worked. When you leave a job, note the HR department phone number and address. Ten years from now when a CVO tries to verify that employment, having the right contact information saves weeks of delays.