To introduce NBPAS at your hospital we have found that it is best to understand your hospital’s perspective, questions, and/or potential challenges.
We recommend the following:
- Reach out to the head of your medical staff office. Inquire if they are familiar with NBPAS, or if administration has considered NBPAS in the past.
- Reach out to a physician on your hospital’s Medical Executive Committee and ask similar questions through an informal, face-to-face conversation. Share NBPAS resources that provide a high-level overview and update of our recent success. Resources may be found on our website HERE. Check out the Physician slide deck with talking points.
- Many physicians that have successfully added NBPAS have found strength in numbers. We suggest coordinating with colleagues at your hospital that may support your efforts and interest for change. The voice of several is often more powerful than the voice of one.
- Remind your colleagues that NBPAS is additive as a choice for continuing certification and physicians that prefer traditional pathways (ABMS or AOA) would still be welcome to do so.
- If your conversations advance, you may also consider sharing the following bylaw language used at many other hospitals, health systems, and payers that accepts NBPAS: Sample policy: A physician applicant, MD or DO, must have successfully completed an allopathic or osteopathic residency program approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and be currently board certified or become board certified within five (5) years of completing formal training or longer as defined by the appropriate specialty board of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). Continuing certification may be through the ABMS, AOA, or National Board of Physicians and Surgeons (NBPAS).
- Many Medical Executive Committees appreciate a more formal presentation with an opportunity to have questions answered directly. Our team meets frequently with hospitals and would be happy to present at your request. You can also use the physician slide deck with talking points if you are comfortable presenting yourself.
For Payer Acceptance:
The Health Insurance Market in Brief
Health insurance in the U.S. is regulated at the state level, with more than 6,000 registered insurers across all 50 states. Each insurer’s policies and standards can vary by state, even within the same brand, making it essential for physicians to communicate directly with their payors for the most current information on acceptance.
While NBPAS cannot track every health plan’s specific policies, we are encouraged by the growing national acceptance of NBPAS certification, even among major insurers. We recommend contacting your payor directly to confirm their recognition of NBPAS credentials.
NBPAS and Health Plan Accreditation
Most health plans are required to meet national accreditation standards set by the National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA) and the Utilization Review Accreditation Commission (URAC). NBPAS fulfills the requirements for both accrediting bodies. Here are some key points to note about accreditation standards:
- Standards do require: Primary Source Verification (PSV) of physician credentials and a formal credentialing policy.
- Standards do not require: Board certification or maintenance of certification as part of their requirements.
If a payor is unfamiliar with our compliance with these standards, NBPAS can provide documentation and assistance to support you in your communications with the insurance company.