Provider attestation
Provider attestation is when a provider confirms that the information held about them is correct, usually through a portal on a fixed schedule. It records what the provider says is true, not what has been independently checked.
How does attestation work?
The provider or their office logs into a portal, reviews their details, corrects anything that changed and confirms the rest. CAQH's portal asks clinicians to re-attest every 120 days. Health plans also send their own attestation requests.
What are the limits of attestation?
It relies on busy offices responding to many requests from many plans, and it only captures what they choose to update. The CAQH and AMA white paper on provider directories describes the burden this places on practices.
How does it fit with verification?
Attestation is one input. Verification compares what was attested with outside evidence, such as claims activity at a location, to find what changed without anyone reporting it.