FROM PHYSICIAN TO THEIR HOSPITAL REQUESTING ADDITION OF NBPAS

Subject: Elevance Health Credentialing Update

Dear [Credentialing Officer/Hospital Leadership],

I am writing as a member of the medical staff at [Hospital/Institution Name] to formally request that our hospital update its credentialing policies and revise its medical staff bylaws to recognize certification from the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons (NBPAS).

NBPAS certifies physicians in all 50 states, is recognized at over 240 hospitals and health systems, and meets all national accrediting requirements for hospitals and health plans. Significantly, NBPAS is accepted by major payors including Elevance Health which recently updated its policies to include NBPAS physicians. 

Elevance’s decision reflects the growing recognition that physician competency is best demonstrated through initial board certification, ongoing clinical practice, and a commitment to lifelong learning. As a result, physicians certified by NBPAS now fully meet the credentialing standards of Elevance Health (d/b/a Anthem/BCBS), one of the largest health payors in the United States, covering over 115 million lives - one in every three patients.

The landscape of physician credentialing is evolving to better reflect modern medical practice. Rigid and unproven recertification requirements have been shown to contribute to physician burnout, workforce shortages, and delays in patient access to care. For too long, thousands of experienced, board-certified physicians have been classified as “expired” or “not certified” solely because they have opted out of costly, burdensome, and unproven Maintenance of Certification (MOC) programs - programs that lack evidence-based support as measures of competency or quality.

Recognizing NBPAS would strengthen our hospital’s ability to recruit and retain high-quality physicians while also improving patient satisfaction. NBPAS certification aligns with the principles of lifelong learning and clinical excellence. Additionally, hospitals benefit financially, as NBPAS-certified physicians reduce continuing education costs by an average of 72%. Furthermore, NBPAS provides primary source verification services to hospitals at no cost as part of its nonprofit mission.

Updating the medical staff bylaws to recognize NBPAS may be accomplished through the following revision:

Each physician shall be initially certified by the specialty board appropriate to the clinical privileges being requested, either by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), American Osteopathic Association (AOA), and shall maintain continuous certification during membership on the medical staff through the ABMS, AOA, or National Board of Physicians and Surgeons (NBPAS).  

I welcome the opportunity to discuss my request further and provide any additional information needed to support this change. Please let me know a convenient time to connect.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

[Physician’s Name]
[Physician’s Contact Information]