OrthoLoneStar’s Seamless Migration from EchoCredentialing
About the Customer
OrthoLoneStar is the largest orthopedic group in Texas and is dedicated to focusing on the value of their patients. While merging six group practices, they decided it was time to migrate from EchoCredentialing to CredentialStream. They chose CredentialStream for its centralized database, ease of implementation, flexible reporting features, and reporting.
Overview
OrthoLoneStar is committed to providing the highestquality orthopedic outcomes at the best valueacross the state of Texas. Their size and depthallows the practice to serve patients across diversespecialties and locations, while their collectivestrength enables them to provide exceptionalservice and excellent results.
Key Challenges
Disparate systems:
In 2021, six of the most well-known, respectedand long-established orthopedic group practices in Texas launched as OrthoLoneStar, a single combined group practice. At the time,only one of the six practices was using an automated credentialing solution. Therest were using a mix of spreadsheets and manual processes. Collaboration waschallenging, and a lack of automation left plenty of room for errors.
Enrollment:
Managing participation in 60+ health insurance plans manually meant countlessapplications, copies and signatures. Without automation, enrollment timeframes laggedand put reimbursement at risk.
Solution Selection Process
Merging six group practices into one is a heavy lift. One thing OrthoLoneStar knew itneeded was a common system to manage credentialing and enrollment across its newlyformed organization. One practice had been using HealthStream's EchoCredentialingsolution with success, so OrthoLoneStar decided to evaluate HealthStream's mostcomprehensive credentialing and enrollment solution, CredentialStream.
After a series of demonstrations and conversations with sales reps and users,OrthoLoneStar chose CredentialStream for its:
Centralized approach:
They needed a database that allowed different divisions theautonomy to see what's going on with their providers at any given time.
Ease of implementation:
A Cloud-based solution meant they could get up and runningquickly. There was no hardware to buy, no software to install and no IT hassles.
Flexible reporting features:
Bolt, an advanced automation engine powered by validateddata and best practice content, meant OrthoLoneStar could easily meet its reportingneeds.
Benchmarking:
The ability to gain insight into credentialing and enrollment timeframeswould enable OrthoLoneStar to view roadblocks and make improvements to futureprocesses.
Implementation
Migrating from EchoCredentialing to CredentialStream was an easy process, soOrthoLoneStar started there. With that set up complete, they collected data viaspreadsheets from the five other practices to manually import into CredentialStream. Theyalso had to manually import CAQH data. The process was challenging, but well worth it inthe end. Throughout the implementation, the team utilized online support tools, includingvideos, checklists and in-person training which really made the difference.
"Once we got the system set up and completedtraining, we were able to get the system workingthe way it is intended to work and utilize it fully. I'mpleased by how many things I can do myself withoutsupport now that I am properly trained."
Nikki Williamson, Credentialing Manager, OrthoLoneStar
Results
Increased Productivity
With less time spent working with disjointed systems and dealing with manual processes,medical staff is able to get more done in far less time.
Faster Enrollment
With CredentialStream in place, OrthoLoneStar has reduced enrollment timeframes from60 to 90 days to less than 30.
Improved Care
Managed care is easier now that the practice has the data they need at their fingertipsto see where it started and how it ended. Using workflows, they can run reports andprovide them to specific divisions and providers.
Continuous Improvement
Benchmarking is allowing OrthoLoneStar to see where their credentialing and enrollmentprocesses are working and where there is room for improvement.
A Competitive Edge
Staying organized and having their fingers on the pulse of who is credentialed and who isenrolled is enabling the practice to reduce errors and serve more patients with excellentcare.
Looking Ahead
OrthoLoneStar is dedicated toexceptional service and excellentresults. With CredentialStream inplace, they have the tools in placeto improve every day.
In the future, they plan to exploreadditional functionality such as:
The Provider Hub: With a centralized portal, OrthoLoneStar could offer providers andclinical leaders a direct connection to key credentialing processes and information, theability to maintain their own profiles and preferences, and much more.
Bolt: By expanding their use of Bolt, the practice hopes to leverage reporting optionsand generate rosters more efficiently.
"I love that HealthStream listensto their customers. It helpsthat you continually improveCredentialStream to enhanceusability and effectiveness."
Nikki Williamson, CredentialingManager, OrthoLoneStar