GAO Review: VA Need Improved Oversight and Compliance for Physician Credentialing and Privileging Processes

VA Health Care: Improved Oversight and Compliance Needed for Physician Credentialing and Privileging Processes 01/10/10. VA has policies to ensure that physicians have appropriate qualifications and clinical abilities through the processes of credentialing, privileging, and continuous monitoring of performance. Results of a VA investigatory report in 2008 cited deficiencies in the Marion, Illinois, VA medical center’s (VAMC) credentialing and privileging processes and oversight of its surgical program. This report examines VA’s policies and guidance to help ensure that information about physician qualifications and performance is accurate and complete, VAMCs’ compliance with selected VA credentialing and privileging policies, and their implementation of VA policies to continuously monitor performance. GAO