From Spreadsheets to Automation... Ideal Option
About the Customer
Ideal Option is a national leader in office-based medication-assisted treatment for addiction to opioids and other substances. They operate 70+ outpatient clinics across 10 states. CredentialStream provided them with the credentialing and privileging solution they needed to easily track provider licenses across multiple states. Bolt reporting enabled key automation of credentialing workflow processes to stay on top of key deadlines.
Overview
Ideal Option has been working on the front linesof the opioid epidemic since its founders - two ERphysicians - opened the first clinic in 2012. Sincethen, the organization has helped over 32,000patients on their journey to stable recovery byproviding underserved populations with low-barrieraccess to evidence-based addiction treatment.
As a large provider of telemedicine, Ideal Optionneeded a credentialing and privileging solution thatwould allow them to easily track provider licensesacross multiple states. They were tired of relying onspreadsheets to do the job, and ready to do awaywith paper-based provider applications. They alsoneeded to produce reports rapidly in order to matchpatients and providers. Their current solution wasn'tup for the challenge—it was time for a change.
Key Challenges
Unreliable Software—Data integrity issues
Ideal Option was working with a solution that promised functionality it couldn't deliver. Pairthat with the fact that it was riddled with data integrity issues, and they were forced to stopusing the system altogether.
Endless Paperwork—Spreadsheets, spreadsheets, and more spreadsheets
Ideal Option was using spreadsheets to track the credentials, certifications, licenses, DEAregistrations and more for over 100 providers.
Providers/Patient Matching—Challenging workflow
As a telemedicine provider, Ideal Option needed to be able to rapidly match a patient with aprovider licensed in their state who is enrolled with appropriate payers. Without automation,this process was a real science project. It was time for an upgrade.
Remote Work—COVID-19 disrupted functionality
When the global pandemic hit, Ideal Option's credentialing team was forced to work fromhome overnight. The organization needed a cloud solution that allowed for remote workingand user productivity tracking more than ever before.
Solution Selection Process
Though Ideal Option needed a solution fast, they fully vetted three options. They choseCredentialStream for its ability to deliver the functionality they needed out of the box, ata cost equal to what they were already paying for a solution that did not meet their basicneeds.
Bringing on new providers to meet patient demand is easy with a paperless applicationprocess. Bolt reports make matching providers with patients and making sure patient careand medication are covered simple. And, remote working for Ideal Option's 10-personcredentialing team is possible due to the cloud-based nature of CredentialStream.
Getting CredentialStream up and running was smooth. With multiple options available fordata import, customer service support, and a variety of live and recorded training options,Ideal Option achieved rapid results.
"CredentialStream's implementation team is themost thorough team I've ever dealt with andI've been through four different softwareimplementations!"
Shannon Bowden, Contracting and Credentialing Manager
Results
Reclaimed Time and Money
By eliminating the need to update countless spreadsheets throughout the day or manipulatespreadsheets to access data, they have been able to significantly reduce manual work. Thisfreed up time to speed up enrollment timeframes, which is improving their revenue cycle.
Seamless Tracking
By eliminating the need to update countless spreadsheets throughout the day or manipulatespreadsheets to access data, they have been able to significantly reduce manual work. Thisfreed up time to speed up enrollment timeframes, which is improving their revenue cycle.
Financial Savings
Keeping on with patient demand means hiring new providers. Hiring new providers meansmore credentialing and enrollment tasks. More tasks could drive the need for more staff, butwith CredentialStream, Ideal Option can do more with less while keeping their team lean.
Patient Care
Ideal Option endeavors to help every patient who comes to them for treatment. Theyaccept all forms of insurance including Medicaid and Medicare. CredentialStream helpsthe organization fulfill the most important task of ensuring providers are enrolled withpayers so patients don't have to pay for care or medication out of pocket.
"With a remote team of 10 and more than 100providers to manage, there are so many ballsthat can drop. CredentialStream helps me relaxand know we're covered."
Shannon Bowden, Contracting and Credentialing Manager
Looking Ahead
Ideal Option has helped thousands of people get their lives back, and they aredetermined to help thousands more. The flexibility provided by CredentialStream willallow them to continue growing seamlessly without worrying about something fallingthrough the cracks. As they continue to adapt CredentialStream's functionality, they planto broaden their use of Apply so that providers can take a more hands-on approach toinputting data. One thing is for sure, each efficiency gain translates into an opportunity toserve another patient in need.