Georgia committee advances bill to standardize provider credentialing, aims to boost Medicaid participation

Representative Kelly presented House Bill 1354 to a Georgia House committee, saying the bill would create a standardized credentialing process to make it easier for health-care providers to join private plans and to encourage more providers to accept Medicaid. "I am here to present house bill 1 3 5 4," Representative Kelly told the committee, noting he had filed a substitute (LC 521060s) for members to review.

The bill targets two related problems, Kelly said: a cumbersome credentialing process that delays providers from being paid and a shortage of providers willing or able to serve Medicaid patients. "The first problem is streamlining the process for which our health care providers get credentialed, with our private health plans," Kelly said. "The second problem we're trying to address is by encouraging more healthcare providers to be on our Medicaid roles." He proposed having the Department of Community Health and the Department of Insurance "coordinate together to create a standardized credentialing process both for our Medicaid and our state" and asked the committee to give the agencies deadlines to develop rules and an implementation timeline.

Kelly told the committee the act "would become effective on July 1" (the year was not specified in the hearing), that the agencies would have to complete rules by January 1 (year not specified in the hearing), and that the full system should be operational by 07/01/2027. An unidentified Representative asked whether the bill's goal was to get more providers on Medicaid and whether it covered social workers; Kelly replied it applies to "any kind of health care provider," listing examples including cardiovascular doctors, dentists, and primary care physicians, and described the approach as offering "a carrot instead of a stick" to encourage participation.

Committee members voiced support and appreciation for the proposal; the chair cited constituent calls and workforce gaps as reasons the measure could be helpful. The chair then accepted a motion "do pass." The committee approved the bill on a voice vote; the transcript does not record who moved or seconded the motion or provide a numerical roll-call tally. Representative Kelly thanked the committee after the vote.

Next steps were not recorded in the transcript. The committee action in the record is a committee-level "do pass" recommendation on House Bill 1354.