Provider Data Collective convened by DataSpring powered by CAQH today announced new standard to improve measurement of provider directory data quality for individual clinicians. It is first solution from industry-led coalition bringing together health plans health professional organization and accreditation body to tackle challenges no organization can solve alone. Mission is to improve accuracy and reliability of provider information clinician data that underpins directories network operations and other essential health care workflows so patients clinicians and health plans can rely on information they trust announced Oct 13 2026 Washington.
Provider data including office locations new patient acceptance status health plan acceptance information clinician education and training licenses certifications and other professional credentials forms foundation of access to care. Accurate current data helps patients find in-network care and enables clinicians to participate in networks more efficiently. Inaccurate data creates delays weakens directory reliability and adds unnecessary administrative burden for clinicians and patients.
Healthcare organizations and government programs use different methodologies to measure provider data quality resulting in inconsistent measurements and fragmented improvement efforts across industry. Establishing common standard will create clear framework for measuring and improving data quality helping organizations increase provider data accuracy reduce administrative inefficiencies and costs strengthen provider and health plan operations and ultimately ensure patients can access and trust provider information they need.
In just three months Collective participants built measurement framework based on CMS quality foundation for provider directories and demonstrated industry willingness to move quickly from agreement on challenge to practical industry solution.
Provider Data Collective demonstrates what is possible when healthcare organizations focus on solving challenges together. Health plans professional associations and industry leaders aligning around practical solutions that reduce administrative burden across healthcare system strengthen patient access to care they need and improve experience for people who depend on accurate reliable healthcare information every day.
Inaccurate provider data can create real barriers across healthcare. Patients struggle to confirm whether clinician is in-network providers face delays joining networks and seeing patients and care teams often lack reliable information needed to coordinate care. While CMS established method to measure provider data accuracy inconsistent application made difficult to establish common baseline for improvement of provider data quality across industry. Collective aligned industry around shared framework more consistent way to measure data quality identify gaps and track progress.
Data quality measurement standard creates foundation for tracking and improving provider data quality across ecosystem. It also allows industry-led work to inform regulatory activity as policymakers seek to modernize provider data infrastructures. With foundation in place Collective will next focus on other industry challenges including how accepting-new-patients status is determined updated and reflected in directories to improve accuracy and patient access.
About DataSpring
DataSpring, powered by CAQH, is the trusted data connector at the core of healthcare, powering the industry with accurate, authorized data from providers and payers to create a more connected ecosystem for all. For more than 25 years, the organization has supported the industry with the largest and most complete healthcare data foundation in the U.S. By improving how essential information moves across the system, DataSpring helps healthcare operate more efficiently and deliver better experiences and outcomes for providers, payers and patients.
