Medical canvassing is often misunderstood — and that misunderstanding can lead to missed opportunities, delayed decisions, and unnecessary claim risk.
So let’s break it down.
In its simplest form, medical canvassing is about clarity: confirming where treatment occurred, when it happened, and which providers were involved — so claims professionals can move forward with confidence.
What Is Medical Canvassing?
Medical canvassing is the process of identifying and verifying prior medical treatment by contacting healthcare facilities directly.
During a canvass, facilities are asked to confirm:
- Dates of service
- Provider names
- Type of treatment (as available)
- Whether treatment occurred or not
This process helps establish a clearer picture of a claimant’s treatment history.
Medical canvassing is not medical records.
It does not involve requesting or reviewing full charts, billing statements, or clinical documentation.
Instead, it focuses on treatment verification — answering the foundational question:
Did treatment occur, and if so, when and where?
Why Medical Canvassing Matters
Incomplete or inaccurate treatment histories create risk.
Relying solely on self-reported information can leave gaps that impact claim direction, timelines, and outcomes. Medical canvassing helps close those gaps early.
When performed correctly, medical canvassing allows claims professionals to:
- Identify previously unknown treatment
- Confirm treatment timelines
- Validate provider information
- Reduce gaps caused by incomplete or inaccurate reporting
- Support faster, more informed claim decisions
Rather than operating on assumptions, teams gain verified insight that supports smarter next steps.
The result is clarity early in the claim lifecycle — when it matters most.
When Should Medical Canvassing Be Used?
Medical canvassing can provide value at many points in a claim, but it is most effective when used early.
Common scenarios include:
- A claimant reports limited or no prior treatment
- Treatment dates don’t align with reported history
- There are red flags or inconsistencies in statements
- Confirmation is needed before moving the claim forward
- Early insight can help guide investigation, strategy, or resolution
The earlier the canvass is performed, the more impactful the information becomes.
Early canvassing helps reduce downstream delays, rework, and uncertainty — allowing claims teams to act proactively instead of reactively.
Why Process Matters in Medical Canvassing
Not all medical canvassing is created equal.
To deliver consistent, reliable results, the process must be built on structure, accountability, and quality controls.
At CDI Canvassing, our approach is designed to be:
✅ Predictable – consistent workflows and clear expectations
✅ Reliable – verified outreach and documented responses
✅ Repeatable – standardized methodology across every canvass
✅ Scalable – able to support both single claims and high-volume programs
Combined with fast turnaround times, strong hit ratios, and data-driven reporting, medical canvassing becomes a strategic tool — not an administrative task.
From Information to Insight
Medical canvassing isn’t about collecting more data.
It’s about obtaining the right information at the right time — information that helps claims professionals:
- Reduce uncertainty
- Identify inconsistencies earlier
- Improve claim efficiency
- Support confident, informed decisions
When treatment history is verified early, everything that follows becomes more effective.
Final Thoughts
Medical canvassing plays a critical role in today’s claims environment.
When used strategically and executed correctly, it provides clarity, reduces risk, and supports better outcomes across Workers’ Compensation, SIU, and bodily injury claims.
Because better information doesn’t just support better claims —
It leads to better outcomes.