As EVP of Credentialing Operations at symplr, I’ve spent years discussing the concerns healthcare organizations have when it comes to outsourcing credentialing and enrollment to a Credentials Verification Organization (CVO). Questions come up all the time—and so do myths.
With over 30 years of experience in credentialing and enrollment, I’ve noticed some misconceptions about CVOs that still persist, and they can prevent organizations from realizing the benefits of outsourcing. Today, I want to set the record straight by sharing the truth behind three common myths about CVO outsourcing. If you’re on the fence about using a CVO, this blog will help clarify what working with a professional CVO really looks like.
Myth #1: Outsourcing to a CVO means I’ll lose control of the process
This is one of the biggest worries I hear from teams considering outsourcing, and I get it—you’ve worked hard to build your processes, and the idea of handing over responsibility might feel risky.
But here’s the fact: Outsourcing doesn’t mean surrendering control. Instead, it’s about choosing a partnership that works alongside your organization. At symplr, for example, we focus on ensuring transparency and shared accountability. When you work with the right CVO, you remain involved in key decision-making, like final approvals for providers, while the CVO handles the time-intensive aspects of primary source verifications and payer enrollment.
Wouldn’t you rather dedicate your internal team’s time to high-value tasks, such as patient care improvements, instead of sifting through paperwork or chasing down licensure data? By outsourcing, you’re gaining efficiency without sacrificing oversight, allowing your team to focus on what truly matters.
Myth #2: Outsourcing delivers no immediate ROI
Credentialing might not seem like a “profit-driving” component of healthcare, but in reality, it’s one of the most critical touchpoints between hiring providers and generating revenue.
Here’s why outsourcing delivers a clear return on investment (sometimes much sooner than expected): It speeds up processes. Credentialing and enrollment delays can result in weeks—or even months—of stalled revenue while providers sit idle, waiting to be cleared to work and bill for their services. A CVO can reduce credentialing timelines from months to weeks, allowing providers to start generating revenue sooner.
Furthermore, outsourcing lowers overhead costs. By partnering with a CVO, you reduce the need to hire and retain specialized staff for credentialing functions. In today’s tight labor market, finding qualified experts in this niche is increasingly challenging and expensive. A CVO brings that expertise to the table, so you don’t have to.
Some of the organizations we’ve partnered with reported time savings of up to 75% after outsourcing credentialing. Faster provider onboarding means your providers can see patients and bill for services sooner. When you measure that time and activity in financial terms, the ROI is hard to miss.
Myth #3: CVOs are just for backlog cleanup
It’s easy to think of a CVO as a “clean-up crew,” especially if your first experience with outsourcing comes during a surge—like a merger or managing a flood of new hires. Yes, we’re absolutely equipped to help with those challenges, but the right CVO offers so much more.
When you partner with a trusted CVO, it’s not just a transactional relationship; it’s a long-term collaboration. Beyond credentials verification, modern CVOs offer additional support, including enrollment, delegated credentialing, licensure tracking, and even committee management. These services reduce administrative burdens on your team, freeing them to focus on strategic initiatives that drive organizational success.
CVOs don’t just exist to clear up problems; they exist to prevent them. By outsourcing, you gain access to established, highly automated processes, resulting in faster turnaround times for your organization.
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Why outsourcing credentialing is the smart move
As credentialing standards grow stricter and staff turnover becomes more common, managing the process in-house has become increasingly challenging. The focus extends beyond maintaining operations or revenue to ensuring compliance, safeguarding patient safety, and meeting today’s demands.
Partnering with a reliable CVO offers a forward-thinking solution that not only addresses immediate challenges but also positions your organization for long-term success.
Viewing CVO outsourcing as a collaborative partnership allows organizations to achieve faster and more efficient credentialing processes. This approach reduces administrative burdens and delivers better outcomes for both providers and patients.
Discover how a CVO partnership can streamline your credentialing process and support your organization’s growth.
