How Long Does Medical Credentialing Take (Update!)
How Many Hours of Work for Insurance Credentialing Take?
What if the Insurance Panel I want is Closed?
What if All the Insurance Panels are Closed?
How can I Track my Insurance Credentialing Progress?
What is the credentialing process, when working with you?
We make the credentialing process easy for you.
When you sign up with us, we will send you one simple application—we call it our “master survey.” This survey asks basic questions ranging from your license number, to your educational history.
Together, we decide what insurance companies you want to work with (we likely have a list we can recommend, based on your location).
Then, our staff will begin the process of retrieving, completing, submitting, and following up on applications on your behalf. We keep in touch with you throughout the process, and contact you if we ever need any additional information. We also contact you when we need signatures from you for the applications.
If you ever want to check in on your progress, you can call us, or view your progress via an online dashboard!
How long does it take to get credentialed?
The credentialing process usually takes about 90 days, start to finish. Because of this, if you are getting ready to start a private practice, don’t wait until the week before you open your doors to start the process!
What if I don’t get on the insurance panels I want?
While getting on insurance panels can be complicated, applying to be on insurance panels isn’t like applying to graduate school where you send in your application and hope that you will be accepted.
Generally, when getting networked with insurance companies, we know from early on whether they are willing to accept you into their network. After that, it’s just a matter of jumping through hoops until the credentialing process is finished.
Some companies have providers begin the credentialing process by completing a pre-application, called a “provider application request form.” If your request for an application is denied, we can either (1) make an appeal on your behalf, or (2) move on and credential you with other insurance companies.
The insurance panels in my area are closed; can you help me get credentialed?
While it is true that some insurance panels in some areas are closed, more often we find that they are more or less “restricted.”
What we can do is contact the insurance companies you are interested in working with and stress aspects of your practice that will make you more desirable to the insurance company. Perhaps you:
1) Work with children
2) Work with underserved populations
3) Are certified in hypnosis, EMDR, or some other niche form of therapy
4) Have extended office hours
5) Offer weekend appointments
6) Have a handicapped accessible office
7) Offer therapy in a second language
8) Have an affiliation with another practice or organization that is referring clients to you, who have said insurance plan
9) Have a colleague who prescribed medication, who is willing to refer patients to you.
10) Have some other specialty we can use to persuade difficult insurance companies.
While no one’s success rate is perfect in situations like this, our clients are often surprised when we are able to get them credentialed with insurance companies that their colleagues have informed them were “closed.”
What is the cost of getting on insurance panels?
Our rates are very affordable, at $239 per panel for small orders, and going down in price for multiple panels. This means that it only takes a couple appointments with a single new patient / client to earn back the credentialing fee.
Put another way, if you turn just one potential new patient away because you don’t accept their insurance, you have lost money.
Who are you? And how did you get into medical credentialing?
Thanks for asking! We are Thriveworks (Thrive Counseling LLC), and we started a number of years ago as Thrive Boston Counseling. After credentialing dozens of our own providers (and struggling for the first couple years with the process) we realized that we could help a lot more good clinicians also get on insurance panels.
Our brick and mortar offices are located just outside Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Our staff has been quoted in the Boston Globe, Boston Business Journal, ABC News, and more (usually for clinical / medical content). Also, our company is a member of the BBB and maintains the highest possible grade rating with the Boston Chapter Better Business Bureau!
I have more questions. Can I talk to someone about getting on insurance panels?
Absolutely. We’d love to talk with you. Call us anytime a 1-855-4-THRIVE (1-855-484-7483)!
I have been trying to get Aetna and Anthem Blue Cross. On MHN, CA Blue shield, Tricare and HBA. Do you refund the money if you cannot get us on? I may be interested.
Have on office in San Jose CA and one in Capitola CA
Neither wheelchair accessible.
Gerard, Thanks for your comment/question! We guarantee that we will get you on the number of panels you hire us to get you credentialed with!
I am an assistant to a NY State licensed psychologist who has been working through an agency for several years. However, due to state budget cuts she will need to set up a private practice. The practice predominantly is with autistic children in New York City. She has developed new therapies which have mainstreamed a majority of her clients. Her expertise includes evaluations, play/behavioral therapy as well as family therapy. We are interested in receiving your assistance with insurance panels.
I look forward a reply at your earliest convenience.
Thank you for your inquiry! We will contact you by email right away. Please also feel free to call us anytime at 1-855-4-THRIVE.
Do you help licensed massage therapist in NY get on insurance panels? What is the cost? How long is the process? After paying $200.00 or more per panel after being denied is the money paid lost? please email me with answers to these questions. Thank you & God bless you always.
Thank you for your question! Our service guarantees that you will get on the number of insurance panels you hire us to help you with.
I We will also respond to your question by email.
I am very interested in using your services but am just starting a private practice fresh out of school. How soon can I apply? What are the insurance company requirements for being considered eligible? Is there a time one has to be in practice….that sort of thing? Would you mind emailing me as well?
Thanks,
Christine
Hi Christine,
Thanks for your interest in our services! To be credentialed with insurance, the primary requirement is to be a fully-licensed clinician. Have you completed your licensure requirements? –We’ll also email you to answer any additional questions.
Hello,
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Master Addiction Counselor (MAC), Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC) III, and Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) in Oregon. I specialize in addiction treatment groups for both adults and adolescents. I am employed full time and am looking to build my private practice in the Tualatin, OR area on evenings & weekends. I also carry professional liability insurance. Which insurance panels would you recommend?
Thank you,
Tom
Great Videos BTW, very informative!
Thank you, Tom!
Tom, this is a good questions. I think we might just need a little more information so that we can give you an educated answer. We’ll email you some additional questions about your practice! Warmly, Dr. Anthony Centore
Do you assist with CAQH?
Yes! We do assist with CAQH! CAQH is an important part of the credentialing process
I am an LICSW but I am not working right now. I am looking to start a private practice in the near future. Do I have to be working in order to get on a panel or can I get that set up and then look for work and/or start my own practice?
Dear Sarah,
Hello and thanks for your question!
No, you do not need to be working to get on insurance panels. In fact, many providers look to start their credentialing about 120 days prior to starting their private practice, so that they will be able to accept insurance when they first “open their doors.” I hope this helps, and please feel free to contact us anytime at 1-855-4-THRIVE.
Warmly,
Your Friends at Thriveworks!
Hello!
I have been thinking about this process for a few of weeks now but ran into a woman who told me that insurance panels do not accept you if you have not had your license for at least two years. I have only had my LMHC license for 2 months. Does this mean I have to wait?
Hi Felicia,
That’s a good question. A few, albeit very few, insurance companies require that you be licensed for 2 years. However, the vast majority of them do not have that requirement. Congrats on getting licensed! Warmly, Your Friends at Thriveworks
Hi again,
Since I am an LMHC Medicare does not pay me, right? Even though my colleague is an LICSW and she does and we do THE SAME thing!
I work with Deaf clients and they ALL have Medicare. Can I be paid anything since they also have Medicaid (MassHealth)? I do take a form of MassHealth–Beacon.
Thanks again!
Felicia
I’m interested in starting a small practice in addition to working full-time. I am a LCSW and have been licensed for a 1.5 yr. When am I eligible to apply for insurance panels?
Thank you,
Maria
Hello Maria,
. Happy to answer your question, and to give you good news too!!
That’s a good question, and one that we hear often!
Once you are fully licensed you are eligible to apply to be on insurance panels with more than 90 percent of insurance companies. There are a couple that require 2 years (and rarely a company will ask for more) but the vast majority will accept your application now
–Your friends at Thriveworks
I am a Doctor of Oriental Medicine in New Mexico getting ready to open a private practice. I was recently licensed and have never practiced before. Do you have experience with DOMs getting onto insurance panels in New Mexico?
Denise,
Thanks for your question, and happy belated 4th of July!
We help clinicians of many types, all across the USA, to get on insurance panels! That being said, I can’t recall that we have helped a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, living in New Mexico, specifically.
However, that doesn’t mean we won’t be able to help you! If you’re interested in learning more, please feel free to contact us anytime at 1-855-4-THRIVE, or email us your phone number, and we’ll give you a call!
Warmly,
Your Friends at Thriveworks
Hi Dr. Anthony,
How many insurance panels should I b on to have 50 hrs. a week of clients?
Audrey
Hello Dr. Audrey,
There are a lot of variables unaccounted for here, but we sometimes recommend 10 panels if one is looking to build a full-time caseload, and 5 if one is part-time. When wanting to build a full-time caseload, it is important to not limit the clients who can be seen because of their insurance type, especially if someone is trying to build referral channels from other healthcare providers.
We hope this helps!
As I was inquiring about information on insurance panels, I found your web site. I am excited to know that there are services out there to help with this seemingly tedious process. Though I am still nearly 4 years away from my licensure in the state of Missouri as an LPC, I would love to discuss the options available to me upon licensure. I also have questions regarding my future partner’s licensure and whether she can accept insurance at all.
I have spoken with your staff member that mentioned you were out on conference, and she indicated to me that you would try to contact me once you had an opportunity!
I look forward to speaking with you!
Thanks!
Jessica Patterson
Hello Jessica,
Thanks for your interest! We are back from conference and would be happy to talk with you!
Please feel free to give us a ring anytime at 1-855-4-THRIVE, or we will reach out to you.
Sincerely,
Your friends at Thriveworks
I am considering relocating and starting a DC practice in another city. Is there a way for me to know if an insurance company is still open and accepting new doctors? This is a big part of weather or not I move and exactly where I will set up my practice.
Hello Kai!
That’s a good question. With some companies, if you request an application, you might instead get from them a letter saying that they are at network capacity. With other companies, you will need to apply with them first, and later find out that they are at capacity.
However, even when companies say that they’re full, it is often still possible to submit an appeal and be let on the panels. I hope this helps!!
I am a limited permit psychologist in NY. Can I apply to insurance panels without my full license yet?
Dave,
That is a good question. In general, one needs to be fully licensed to be approved / panelled by insurance companies. I hope this helps!
Hi,
I have a few questions regarding insurance panels. I have my LHMC in NY and opened a practice two years ago. We may move to NJ and I want to get on an insurance panel now and hope that it will transfer. How does that work?
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer,
That’s a good question, that we get pretty often actually. The answer depends on the insurance companies you are credentialed with. Some are more national, and some are more state specific. Jennifer, I’ll forward your email to Brett, one of our staff who can give you very specific answers for specific insurance companies in NY and NJ.
Hello,
I have a LMSW and establishing a PLLC with another LMSW.
Can a LCSW, whom is not a member of my PLLC, apply to a Panel using our TIN?
The answer to your question is yes! One doesn’t need to be a member, one can be an employee of the PLLC and still be panelled using the TIN number.
What does “fully licensed” mean? Is a person with a LSW typically able to get paneled? Also, if I am already paneled under an insurance co. through my agency, can I easily switch to being independantly paneled through that same insurance company? Thank you
Hello!
Fully licensed means that you have the highest level of licensure. In some states, for some categories, there are intermediate licences. For example, and LSW is an intermediate license — the fully licensed provider with be a LCSW, or in some states an LICSW. Generally, one needs to be fully licensed to be credentialed. — Hope this helps!
Hi Thriveworks -
I have been licensed as a Marriage & Family Therapist since 6-20-02, and I am on the major insurance panels here in California. But:
1) I would like more clients.
2) Each week I refer about 1-3 potential clients (who have been referred to me) to other therapists who take Anthem Blue Cross because I have never been accepted as an Anthem Blue Cross provider.
3) I’ve applied to Anthem Blue Cross to become a behavioral health provider several times over the years, but never have been accepted.
Here are some of my qualifications:
I am an AACAST-certified Couples and Sex therapist.
I see clients as early as 7 a.m. and as late as starting at 8 p.m.
I have experience providing therapy in Spanish. I am fluent in Spanish.
A local family physician refers patients to me regularly. This physician frequently is prescribing psychotropic medications to these patients. Many of them have Blue Cross insurance.
One of my specialities is Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy, an accelerated and highly efficient modality for treatment of a range of behaviral health disorders.
I do not have special training in EAP, but I’ve treated many EAP clients successfully for work-related problems.
Can you help me? If so, please email me an application!
Thanks!
Catherine in Los Angeles
I meant to spell it “behavioral” health!
Hi,
I was in the process of filling out an application for a particular insurance company when they asked me for my business name and address. Do I have to register a business name and address prior to completing the application or can I just make up something until I have a LLC or inc?
Also, I have an NPI number through my current job. Am I allowed to use this for my personal practice or will I have to apply for an individual NPI number?
Thanks,
Alexis
HI Alexis,
About the business name — it completely depends on the application. They may simply be looking for a DBA (doing business as) name, so “Making one up” may be okay, so to speak.
Second, about the NPI — there are 2 types on NPI numbers: Personal, and Company NPIs (Called NPI 1, and NPI 2). If it is a personal NPI, assigned to you–then you are Okay to use it. It’s your NPI!
We area small group of therapists working with underserved populations,immigarnts,refugees,etc in Sacramento Area,Citrus Heights,Fulton Ave.
(
The group has 2 licensed mental health providers and 3 interns MFT &PsyD (post graduates),all with NPI and insurance.
We would like to get the whole group on some panels mostly used in our area.
Can you help ?
Which data you need from us ?
How much you estimate the costs?
Thank you for your interest and future help.
Sincerely
Anna
PS Is any person having an email on your site,something like customer service email,etc? I could not find any
Hi Anna, good questions, and I’m sorry you’ve had trouble finding a way to contact us — we can be contacted through the website, or by telephone at 1-855-4-THRIVE. You have a lot of good questions–we’d be happy to help!
Hi:
I was considering your services and I have a question. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas and I work at a counseling clinic and my work place got me credentialed on many insurance panels already but now I want to start my own part-time counseling practice on the side so do I need to attain insurance panel credentialing all over again for my private counseling practice too? Thank you.
Hi Tom,
You will certainly need some credentialing work done. Depending on how you were credentialed with the clinic, and the panels that you’re on, you might simply need to submit a change of address form. More likely, however, you will need to be re-credentialed under a new tax-id/SS number. –I hope this helps!
I have just received my LCSW in New Jersey. Is there a waiting period before I can apply to be paneled?
Not at all. Once you are fully licensed, you are eligible to be credentialed with most insurance companies (a few: Value Options, United Healthcare) do want you to be licensed for 2-3 years first, but the majority (Blue Cross, Aetna, Cigna, etc.) have no waiting period. –I hope this helps!!
Hi! I am an LICSW and planning a move to the West Coast in a few months. I am currently paneled by BCBS and United here on the East Coast. I am concerned that I cannot actually apply to be on insurance panels in my new community until I have moved out there and can cite a specific office address. I am guessing then that there will be three month waiting period before I can be paneled in my new location. Can your organization help me get paneled so I am ready to go when I get there?
Thanks!
Hi Geena, if you are licensed in the new state, we might be able to help! You’re on the right track with your thinking…if you can get started now you can avoid a long wait when you get to your west coast destination!
Hi again,
Since I am an LMHC Medicare does not pay me, right? Even though my colleague is an LICSW and she does and we do THE SAME thing!
I work with Deaf clients and they ALL have Medicare. Can I be paid anything since they also have Medicaid (MassHealth)? I do take a form of MassHealth–Beacon.
Thanks again!
Felicia
I am currently working for a hospital in Texas and am credentialed with many insurance companies. I am moving to Maryland. Do I have to go through the entire credentialing process again for companies that I’m already credentialed with in Texas? Or is there a way to switch locations without having to do the whole process again? Thanks
Hi Kirra, unfortunately even the large national companies are state-specific in a lot of ways. Because of this you will need to be re-credentialed with most of the companies you are currently working with. Sometimes there is an exception to this, but it’s best if you go into the process seeing any reciprocity as a “happy bonus” not an expectation. If you think we can be of help with you insurance credentialing, just let us know!
Hello,
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), with additional Masters in Organizational Psychology (I/O Psych: specialization in diversity training, recruiting and management). I am also Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) in Chicago, IL. I specialize in work with people of color and marginalized populations. I provide treatment groups/trainings/ psychotherapy for both adults and adolescents. I am employed full time and am looking to build my private practice on evenings & weekends. I have professional liability insurance. Which insurance panels be the best fit for me?
Thank you,
Lana
Hi Lana, we passed your query on to our support team, you should have emailed you by now. If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to ask, or call us directly at 1-855-4-THRIVE!
Hi,
I have a question. I am licensed in New Mexico but recently moved to Eugene, OR. I am currently applying for licensure in Oregon, but I am getting delayed for various reasons. Can I go ahead and start the credentialing process using my New Mexico license? Or do I need to wait until I have my Oregon license to do this?
More specifically, do you know which insurance companies are national and will accept my New Mexico license even though I am starting a private practice in Oregon.
Thanks for your help,
Chaunce
Hi C.W.,
Thanks for your question. The short answer is that you will need to be licensed in Oregon before you can be credentialed there. Even the national companies have state specific devisions, and will look at your operating address and state specific license. I’m sorry that you’re having such trouble with transferring your license! Once it is straightened out, if you’d like us to take over your credentialing (we’re generally faster at it than when providers do it themselves), just let us know!
Warmly,
Your Friends At Thriveworks
I’m a recent Psych graduate planning to work in an established group of therapists to earn my hours for a license. The group accepts insurance. Can I also accept insurance from clients under the “umbrella” of the group? If not, can I accept insurance under my supervisor’s insurance? Thanks, Simon.
Thanks for your quick response to my previous question. It was very helpful!
I have another question that I can’t seem to find the answer to. I recently obtained a temporary permit to practice in Oregon as I am awaiting my jurisprudence test date. I was able to get the permit as I am currently licensed in New Mexico. Do you know if I am able to bill insurance companies “out-of-network” with a temporary permit? Any information would be much appreciated!
Thanks!
C.W
I am moving to another city and going to be opening my own practice. I know it takes about 90 days. Do I have to wait to move to apply or can I go ahead and get started on the process?
The question depends on a few factors, including licensure and practice address. Would you like to call us at 1-855-4-THRIVE? We could help you to review your options!
I just passed my LCPC exam. I know it will take some time for my license to actually post but I was wondering if there is anything I can be doing now to get the process if medical credentialing started?
Absolutely! You can begin reaching out to the insurance companies that you want to work with, and requesting their giant applications. You can begin filling them out, putting your resume into the crazy format they request, and get everything ready with the exception of your license #. Once your license # comes in, fill in that final blank, and get those applications in to the insurance companies! –We have a lot of providers contact us after they’ve taken their exams, and we get started with their credentialing even before their license # comes in. –I hope this helps!
Can an LCPC in Illinois bill for Medicare and/or Medicaid?
Laura, LCPCs can bill for Medicaid, but not Medicare.
Regards,
Anthony
I am setting up a new private practice in a new part of my state. I do not have an office yet and I want to start the credentialing process through CAQH. Is it any more of a hassle to use my home address while I look for office space? I just don’t understand how I am to afford an office while waiting to be credentialed.
Thank you.
Hi Laura,
What you are experiencing is actually pretty common. Credentialing is a lengthy and complicated process and the address issue is just one of many catch 22s. If you use your home address, you will need to eventually change it to your work address. The credentialing process takes 90-120 days, and the address change process can take up to about 30 days. Laura, if you think we could be of help, give us a call anytime at 1-855-4-THRIVE.