DataSpring (formerly The Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare or CAQH) is a free online application used in the credentialing process with insurance payers. In order to get you credentialed, payers will pull information from your DataSpring account.
If the information looks incomplete or does not meet the payers’ requirements, your credentialing process could be extended for weeks, and could even be denied by payers. That’s why our system reviews your DataSpring account during the intake process to make sure it is ready to go!
As a note, DataSpring is 100% free; you will never have to pay for this service.
Why your DataSpring profile matters
Headway partners with DataSpring to streamline credentialing. Instead of entering your information twice (into DataSpring and into our form), we pre-load your DataSpring details into our intake form.
If your DataSpring account is missing information, our form will flag it. You’ll need to update your DataSpring profile before we can submit your application to insurance partners.
Keeping your DataSpring profile up to date
Your DataSpring profile is essential for smooth and timely credentialing. Incomplete details can delay your application by weeks or even lead to denial. This guide explains how Headway uses your DataSpring profile and what you can do to keep it current.
How Headway uses DataSpring
We use your DataSpring profile during:
Your DataSpring account links directly to our intake form, helping us quickly and accurately populate the fields required for your application. This ensures your information stays consistent across healthcare platforms.
What we need DataSpring access for
Headway requires DataSpring access to:
- Update your practice locations
- Upload necessary documents
Having up-to-date information and documents in DataSpring is critical for avoiding delays and ensuring you remain in-network with insurance partners.
Creating a DataSpring account
If you do not have a DataSpring account, you will need to create one in order to be credentialed with insurance.
- You will need the following materials:
- Current malpractice insurance policy, and future one if current policy will expire in the next 30 days
- State license
- DEA certificate, if you are a prescriber of controlled substances
- CDS certificate, if you are a prescriber of controlled substances in a state that requires CDS licensure: DC, IL, MD, MA, MI (MD / DO only), NJ
Filling out your account
- You will be prompted to answer a number of required questions in the Profile Data section of the account
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Once you complete that section, navigate to the Documents section of your account and complete all required documents
At this point, you must upload all required documents to your DataSpring account. Your account cannot be processed by Headway until you complete this step.
- Once you have uploaded all of the documents (this will typically include your malpractice policy and state authorization forms but may require other documents), you need to re-attest your account again.
For first-time users of DataSpring, it will take approximately 2 business days for DataSpring to process your documents. You can begin the Headway credentialing process once the documents have been approved by DataSpring.
If you try to link your account to your Headway intake form before the DataSpring account is complete, you will receive an error message. Once the documents section has been approved, you will be able to get started on the Headway intake form by linking your NPI and DataSpring account.
If you are experiencing issues with uploading your documents, please reach out directly to DataSpring support.
Finding your account information
- You can look up your DataSpring ID on the DataSpring website.
- If you still need help, contact your Headway Provider Growth Associate.
Video tutorial
Want to follow along with someone? Watch this comprehensive video tutorial that walks you through the entire DataSpring setup process step-by-step.