Accreditation is used by healthcare organizations and health plans to verify the education, training, and experience of staff medical. When a physician or licensed independent practitioner (LIP) is accredited, he or she becomes affiliated with that organization and is a member of the medical staff or health care network. The owner or board of directors of the organization is held legally responsible for the quality of care and conduct of staff, and medical staff are accountable to the board of directors for the quality of care they provide. The accreditation process determines whether medical personnel are competent and capable of treating and caring for patients before allowing membership or affiliation with a network. The Medical Staff Committee is responsible for conducting competency evaluations using the Board's established criteria: character, competence, training, experience and judgment. Competency assessments are conducted in accordance with medical personnel statutes and include background checks, delineation of privileges, and confirmation of competency level. A skills assessment is required for new applicants, reappointments (every 2 years), and medical staff privilege change requests. New applicants submit a formal application to the organization for active, courtesy, advisory, or paramedic membership. A request can be for membership only, core privileges, or categorized privileges. With the application, the following information is required: current licensure, DEA certificate, liability insurance, education, training and experience details, board certification/recertification, medical society membership , medical dispute – filed, pending or settled, unfavorable. peer reviews, felony convictions, and voluntary or involuntary reductions of privileges,...... middle of paper ......ions allow for due process, "a formal procedure conducted in a manner that protects rights of all involved" (p.143).The managed care organization (MCO) accreditation process follows National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA) standards which require verification of licensure, DEA certificate, education and training, board certification, liability claims and employment history. Primary source information is verified using the Universal Provider Data Source, the NPDB is consulted, and site visits review and evaluate patient records. The MCO Accreditation Committee makes the decision to accept or reject new applications or reappointments. Ongoing PPEs follow NCQA standards requiring data collection and review of Medicare and Medicaid sanctions, licensure restrictions, complaints, and adverse events. An MCO is held legally responsible for hiring and retaining incompetent employees.