Credentials verification organization (CVO)
Definition
A credentials verification organization (CVO) is a company that verifies providers' credentials, such as licenses, board certifications and education, with the primary sources on behalf of health plans and hospitals. NCQA certifies CVOs.
By the Candor Health team
Last reviewed
Also called credentials verification organizations and CVOs
Why do plans use CVOs?
Credentialing every provider in a large network takes a lot of staff time. A CVO does the primary source verification and gives the plan a file it can use in its credentialing decision.
What doesn't a CVO cover?
Credential verification confirms a provider is qualified. It doesn't keep directory details such as practice locations, phone numbers or panel status current.
Related approaches
Some plans also use delegated credentialing, where a large provider group credentials its own clinicians under the plan's oversight.