- August 13, 2026
- Credentialing
Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are under more pressure than ever to operate efficiently while continuing to grow. Labor costs, supply chain issues, anesthesia coverage, and payer contract negotiations all compete for leadership’s attention. One area that often gets overlooked in that mix? Provider credentialing.
It’s easy to underestimate, until it becomes the reason a new physician can’t see patients on day one, or a claim gets denied because enrollment wasn’t finalized in time.
We recently sat down with Becker’s Healthcare to talk about exactly this. Claire Forgan, General Manager of Credentialing Services, and Rachel Woodhouse, Director of Extended Credentialing Services at Modio Health, shared what they’re seeing across the industry and what separates ASCs that scale smoothly from those that hit roadblocks.
Credentialing’s Ripple Effect on ASC Performance
Credentialing touches more than compliance. It shapes the entire onboarding experience for new physicians and has a direct line to financial performance.
When provider documentation isn’t collected clearly or presented in an organized way, verification slows down. And every day a physician waits to be credentialed is a day they’re not seeing patients or generating revenue. If enrollment isn’t finalized before surgeries are scheduled, cases can be delayed or cancelled altogether, which hits the bottom line immediately.
And credentialing doesn’t stop once a provider is onboarded. Ongoing monitoring of licenses and malpractice insurance is essential to avoid compliance issues down the road.
Why ASCs Are Turning to Outsourced Partners
Most ASCs don’t have the bandwidth to run a dedicated credentialing department. Often, it’s one person managing credentialing alongside office management, billing, and everything else on their plate, even as physicians enroll across multiple facilities and move between practices.
According to Rachel, there are a few clear signs it’s time to consider outsourcing:
- High staff turnover or limited in-house credentialing expertise. Credentialing tends to go unnoticed until something breaks, then teams find themselves scrambling. Outsourcing can prevent that panic before it starts.
- Poor credentialing performance. Low approval rates and slow turnaround times are red flags that can hold back rapid growth.
- Inconsistent demand. When credentialing needs spike unpredictably, an outsourced partner helps manage the ebb and flow so internal staff can stay focused on other priorities.
What a Strong Credentialing Partnership Looks Like
A good credentialing partnership isn’t just about outsourcing tasks, it’s about visibility and trust. The strongest partnerships are built on:
- Real-time visibility into the work being done
- Technology-driven processes and reporting
- High-touch, U.S.-based service
That last point matters more than people expect. Working with a partner based in the U.S. makes day-to-day communication easier. Time zones become a non-issue, so ASC teams can call, email, and get updates in real time.
A Real Example of What’s Possible
One organization with limited in-house credentialing experience recently partnered with Modio Health. Since the engagement began, we’ve helped reduce their verification turnaround time by 10%. Their work volume doubled from year one to year two, and they’re on track to double again by the end of year three.
As Claire put it: ASCs don’t think about credentialing until it stops working. The smarter move is bringing it out of the shadows and building it into your growth strategy from the start.
Ready to Take Credentialing Off Your Plate?
If credentialing is pulling your team’s focus away from patient care, Modio XCS gives you a fully managed, U.S.-based credentialing team, without the overhead of hiring and training in-house staff.
This article originally appeared in Becker’s Healthcare. Read the full feature here.