National Medical Staff Services Awareness Week
November 6-12, 2005

US Family Health Plan will be observing the National Medical Staff Services Awareness Week by spotlighting its Credentialing Department. This year, the National Association Medical Staff Services (NAMSS) is celebrating Awareness Week November 6 -12.

In 1992, President George Bush issued a proclamation designating the first week of November as “National Medical Staff Services Awareness,” to acknowledge and thank these professionals for playing “an important role in our nation’s healthcare system.”

The American Medical Association-Organized Medical Staff Section also recognizes the medical services profession in a resolution that formally acknowledges “the importance and value of medical services professionals to the health care organization and its physician members and recognizes their contribution and dedication in preserving quality patient care.”

When you visit a healthcare provider, you see the doctors, the nurses and other medical personnel. What you don’t see are the people behind the scenes who make certain the credentials of all practitioners who are caring for you are correct and have been verified.

Medical services professionals are experts in provider credentialing and privileging, medical staff organization, accreditation and regulatory compliance, and provider relations in the diverse healthcare industry. They credential and monitor ongoing competence of the physicians and other practitioners who provide patient care services in hospitals, managed care organizations and other healthcare settings.

Although these professionals are a vital part of the community’s healthcare team, you probably won’t ever meet them or know their names. But because of them, you can rest assured that the practitioners treating you are properly educated, licensed, and trained, and are qualified to provide care to you and your family.

Linda Land, CPCS, MCTS
Credentialing Coordinator
US Family Health Plan