What is provider privileging?
Provider privileging is the process where a health care organization grants a provider permission to provide medical and other patient care services. Clinical privileges are based on their:
- Licensure
- Relevant training and experience
- Current competence, health status, and judgment
- Peer and department head recommendations
Privileging is an essential part of the MHS clinical quality assurance and management programs.
What has changed for provider privileging?
The Military Health System now allows MHS providers to carry their privileges between facilities. With this change, the MHS removes the red tape and empowers our health providers to deliver health services faster and enhances readiness.
The new process will allow providers moving to new locations within the MHS to resume providing care at a much faster rate, allowing providers to see more patients and contributing to a medically ready force.
These new rules apply when a provider moves to an overseas location or between countries, and when providers deploy.
What else do I need to know?
- Your current clinical privileges are valid at any MHS facility, including hospitals and clinics in deployed locations.
- You’ll be privileged to the top of your respective credentials and competencies. The facility will have evidence of your current competencies and training.
- There’s no need for site-specific privileges triggered because you move.
- When your current privileges expire, your current duty station will renew them. This renewal is valid for up to three years.
MHS privileges apply to active duty and civilian employee providers. System-wide privileging for the Reserve Components not on extended active duty will be in place no later than May 27, 2026.
To help with this process, the Defense Health Agency will provide:
- Training materials
- Implementation guides
- Role-specific job for providers and for privileging staff
Has the Privileging Process or Quality Management Rigor Changed?
No, the new system will apply the same rigor and clinical quality management and oversight as the old system. The initial and renewal privileging process for providers isn’t changing. Providers simply won't have to repeat it when they practice at a new facility or in an operational environment.
Providers must sign an attestation at each MHS facility where they practice.