What Are Hospital Privileges? Everything Physicians Need To Know
Hospital privileges give physicians the legal authority to admit and treat patients in a hospital or surgery center. Privileges are granted by each hospital after a credentialing process that verifies training, competency, and professional history. They are essential for doctors who want to perform procedures, admit patients directly, or access hospital-based care.
Definition of Hospital Privileges
Hospital privileges are formal authorizations that allow doctors to admit patients and provide care in a particular hospital. These privileges specify which procedures or services a physician is allowed to perform. Each hospital sets its own requirements and reviews every application individually.
Types of hospital privileges
Admitting privileges: Allow physicians to directly admit patients to the hospital, bypassing the emergency department. Doctors with admitting privileges can oversee inpatient care and coordinate with hospital staff.
Courtesy privileges: Allow doctors to admit patients but not necessarily treat them. Physicians often use these privileges to visit or check on their own patients who are already hospitalized.
Surgical privileges: Permit physicians to perform outpatient surgeries and book operating rooms within the hospital or affiliated surgery center.
Hospital privileges vs. hospital credentialing
Though closely related, hospital privileges and hospital credentialing are not the same.
Credentialing: The hospital verifies a physician’s education, residency, training, licensure, malpractice history, and competency. This is a prerequisite step.
Privileges: Once credentialed, a doctor may apply for specific clinical privileges that define exactly what procedures or services they are permitted to perform.
Learn More: What is Physician Credentialing?
How Physicians Obtain Hospital Privileges
Hospitals are required by Medicare and The Joint Commission to review and grant privileges carefully. Typically, a medical staff committee evaluates each request.
Steps include:
- Complete credentialing: Provide medical school diplomas, residency and fellowship records, employment history, malpractice disclosures, and board certifications.
- Consult hospital bylaws: Each hospital has its own rules for privilege eligibility.
- Submit an application: Applications often require demographic information, references from peers, and proof of recent clinical activity or procedures performed.
- Wait for review: Committee reviews can take weeks to several months.
- Renew regularly: Privileges usually must be renewed every two years, except in Illinois where renewal is required every three years.
Cost of Hospital Privileges
Hospitals do not charge physicians fees for applying or maintaining privileges. The true cost lies in the time and documentation required to prepare applications and complete renewals.
Can Hospital Privileges Be Revoked?
Yes. Losing privileges can have a major impact on a physician’s career. Reasons for revocation may include:
- Failure to follow hospital policies or bylaws
- Poor collaboration with staff or disruptive conduct
- Patient care concerns
- Refusing constructive feedback or ignoring corrective actions
- Breaking agreements made with the hospital
Revocation must follow due process. Physicians typically have the right to hearings, appeals, or arbitration before privileges are permanently removed.
Related: How Often Do Doctors Get Sued?
Are Hospital Privileges Necessary for All Doctors?
Not every physician requires hospital privileges, but they can expand the scope of patient care. Without them, a physician cannot directly admit patients or access hospital-based treatments.
For primary care doctors, privileges are optional but often valuable. They allow continuity of care when patients require hospitalization and can strengthen long-term doctor–patient relationships. However, many successful primary care practices function without them by coordinating with hospitalists or referring patients.
Key Takeaways
Hospital privileges give physicians the authority to admit patients and perform procedures within a hospital. They are granted only after credentialing and reviewed by hospital committees to ensure patient safety. Privileges must be renewed regularly and can be revoked if a physician does not comply with hospital standards. While not mandatory for every specialty, privileges expand a doctor’s ability to provide comprehensive care and remain an important part of professional practice.
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