What is Hospital Affiliation?

Hospital Affiliation Definition

Hospital Affiliation data is the connective tissue of the provider ecosystem. For Health System Executives, managing these affiliations is essential for coordinating inpatient and outpatient care. For Payers, this information is vital for members who want to ensure that if they need surgery, their doctor can perform it at a specific, in-network hospital. Inaccurate affiliation data can lead to significant billing issues, particularly if a provider admits a patient to a hospital where they do not have active privileges or where the payer does not have a contract.

FAQs

What is the difference between "admitting" and "courtesy" privileges?

Admitting privileges allow a provider to check patients into the hospital; courtesy privileges may only allow them to consult or observe.

Why is hospital affiliation data high-volatility?

Providers frequently change where they practice or lose privileges due to inactivity, making this a difficult data point to keep current.

How does this data support member choice?

It allows members to "reverse-search" for doctors who are affiliated with a specific, high-quality hospital of their preference