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Chubb Underscores Best Practices to Help Healthcare Organizations Navigate Credentialing Exposures in Challenging Environment
In today's changing healthcare landscape, providers face more risk than ever
Oct 11, 2017

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., Oct. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to an array of new reform realities, healthcare organizations face significant and growing credentialing-related liabilities, according to a new whitepaper from Chubb. 

To help healthcare organizations navigate their exposure, Chubb's whitepaper, "Credentialing Exposures Intensify in a Challenging Healthcare Environment," highlights the most common causes of credentialing-related lawsuits, trends in allegations and safeguards, and the severity of actions. The whitepaper also underscores an array of risk mitigation best practices that healthcare organizations—regardless of their specific functions—can implement.

"Current reform measures can invite unwanted tensions," said Caroline Clouser, Executive Vice President, Chubb Healthcare. "Whether physician retaliation claims, antitrust challenges, or credentialing strategy concerns, credentialing-related lawsuits are burdensome in terms of both damage awards and expense costs. Our latest whitepaper provides valuable insight into ways Healthcare leadership can further strengthen their practices through the adoption of a sound credentialing process."

According to the whitepaper, healthcare reform has led to a number of new credentialing-related allegations, including failure to properly address disruptive tendencies or known complaints filed by peers and patients and allegations concerning inappropriate scope of practice. These are in addition to more established concerns which range from claims of poor documentation of the medical staff credentialing tiers and failing to verify an applicant's ability to meet basic medical staff requirements to allegations of poor executive oversight and supervision of employees. These legal challenges stem from a variety of sources, including:

  • Physician retaliation disputes
  • Tortious interference with practice
  • Antitrust challenges
  • Negligent selection
  • Errors and omissions

"The most effective steps providers across the continuum can take to reduce their exposure are to establish a consistent channel of communication and a robust process to monitor and respond to certain credentialing situations," added Clouser. "Beyond that, any decision of the medical staff executive committee should be subject to oversight by the governing board to ensure compliance. Establishing a team of certified professionals to handle all matters related to provider selection, privileging, performance review and retention should also be strong considerations."

To view the full whitepaper, please click here.

About Chubb
Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company and the largest commercial insurer in the United States. With operations in 54 countries, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London and other locations, and employs approximately 31,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: chubb.com.

SOURCE Chubb

For further information: Eric Samansky: 215-640-4666; eric.samansky@chubb.com