Coffee & Contacts: Credentialing Delays in Employment

Administrative delays in credentialing and hospital staffing privileges frequently postpone physician start dates, creating significant financial strain for new hires who have already fulfilled their contractual obligations. While employers require valid medical licenses and billing eligibility to maintain a contract, the burden of bureaucratic processing errors should not fall on the physician. Protecting against these gaps requires specific contract language ensuring pay begins on the scheduled start date regardless of internal processing status. Viable alternatives for delayed starts include receiving pay for attending orientation, shadowing through proctoring programs, or utilizing partial credentialing packages. These protections are essential for physicians transitioning into new roles, as a one-month delay can result in a loss of $20,000 to $40,000, jeopardizing their ability to manage student loans and personal cost-of-living requirements.