Primary Source Verification, almost always abbreviated PSV, comes up repeatedly in credentialing discussions but is rarely explained usefully. It is also one of the key reasons credentialing takes as long as it does. This article explains what PSV is, which credentials require it, who conducts it, and what you can do to make it faster.
What Primary Source Verification Means
PSV is the process of confirming a credential by going directly to the original issuing organization, not to the provider self-report, not to a copy, and not to a secondary database. The primary source is the organization that issued the credential: the medical school, licensing board, certifying board, malpractice carrier, and so on. When a payer says they are conducting PSV, they are making direct contact with those original sources.
Which Credentials Require PSV
| Credential | Primary Source | Verification Method |
|---|---|---|
| Medical education (MD/DO) | Medical school registrar | Direct contact or AAMC database |
| Graduate medical education | Residency/fellowship program | Direct contact or ACGME |
| State medical license | State medical board | Online verification or direct contact |
| Board certification | ABMS / AOA certifying boards | ABMS online portal or direct contact |
| DEA registration | DEA Diversion Control Division | Verification database or direct contact |
| Malpractice history | Each malpractice carrier (current and prior) | Direct contact with each carrier |
| OIG exclusions | HHS Office of Inspector General | OIG LEIE database (online) |
Why PSV Causes Delays
Verification speed depends entirely on how responsive each primary source is. Some state licensing boards offer instant online verification. Others require a written request and respond in 2 to 4 weeks. Residency programs at large academic medical centers routinely take 3 or more weeks. Malpractice history is often the slowest step for providers who have worked at multiple institutions with multiple carriers, each requiring individual contact.
How to Help PSV Go Faster
- Keep your CAQH profile current and complete with all documents attached. When payers use CAQH PSV data they skip much of their own verification process.
- Provide extremely accurate contact information for all primary sources. Wrong phone numbers, outdated addresses, or incorrect department names are the most common cause of PSV delays on the provider side.
- Know your NPDB status. If there are reports in your record, be prepared to explain them as part of credentialing.
- Keep your malpractice carrier history organized. Know who covered you for every period of practice, their contact information, and your policy numbers. If carriers have been acquired, know the acquiring entity name.
PSV Delays Slowing Down Your Credentialing?
Our team knows which primary sources tend to be slow and how to navigate them effectively. We also know how to leverage CAQH PSV data to reduce duplication across payer applications.
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