How Do I get on Insurance Panels?
This seems to be the million dollar question for licensed providers–ranging from physicians, to psychologists & counselors, to nurses, to even massage therapists.
This website was created to provide simple, helpful tips for medical credentialing (that is, the process of getting on and staying on insurance panels).
We are going to review a wide range of credentialing issues, such as: setting up a CAQH profile, contacting “closed” insurance panels, common pitfalls in the credentialing process, which insurance panels are best to be credentialed with, and a whole spectrum of related topics.
This website is owned and operated by Thriveworks Medical Credentialing. We are a full service medical credentialing company, that helps providers get on insurance panels. If you’re ever interested in talking with us directly, please call us at 1-855-4-THRIVE (1-855-484-7483).
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.” The survey asks basic questions ranging from your license number to your educational history.
Next, we help you decide what insurance companies you want to work with (we likely have a list we can recommend based on your location).
Then our staff begins the process of retrieving, completing, submitting, and following up on credentialing applications on your behalf. We keep in touch with you throughout the process, and if you ever want to check in on your progress, you can simply call us, or view your account’s progress via an online dashboard.
Again, welcome to our website, and we look forward to helping you get on insurance panels!
Warmly,
Your Friends at Thriveworks
What is the cost of your service? Is it worthwhile for me as a non-specialized LPC in seeking paneling in Minneapolis area? My thought is the only special training I have is play therapy and filial therapy. Are my chances good if I apply now? Can you suggest a specialty such as CISD or SAP that would enhance my chances ?
Hi Dustin,
Thanks for your comment! We’d love to talk with you about credentialing! Please feel free to call us anytime at 1-877-747-9682.
Warmly, Dr. Anthony Centore
Please respond via email. I am starting a private practice after being on most insurance panels, including Medicare and Medicaid, BCBS, etc., through University of South Florida. I had been on insurance panels in Louisiana before 2006 privately, and since via USF. Now I’m restarting my private practice, probably in the Sarasota, Florida area. When responding, please list how many panels are a good idea for my area and what your fee for me would be. Thanks. Dr. DiLeo
Thank you, Dr. DiLeo for your comment and questions! As requested, we are responding to you via email. Also, please feel free to contact us at 1-855-4-THRIVE. Warmly, Anthony
What kind of response is that? Shame on Thriveworks. I hope you went somewhere else for help.
Dear Kati,
I’m sorry to hear that you’re unhappy with the way we answered this gentleman’s question. We responded to him directly by email, because he requested that we do so. And I think he was very happy with our help! Keri, do you have a question you would like us to answer for you publicly? We are here to help, and we hope you will give us the chance to show you that.
Very sincerely,
Your Friends at Thriveworks
I already have a CAQH number and am considering getting on insurace panels, because I am having problems getting referrals and getting paid fee-for-service. Here in Hillsborough County, Florida, it is impossible to get on Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Aetna, and Cigna. Does that leave any worthwhile panels and, if so, how much do you charge?
Hi Saralee,
Thanks for your question! I wonder is it’s really impossible to get onto all of those panels in your area–that would be quite extraordinary! Still, other companies to consider include: Value Options, Tri-care, Humana, Multiplan, Medicare, MHN, MHNet, American Behavioral Health, United Healthcare, and there are others…
We hope this helps!
Sincerely,
Your Friends at Thriveworks
Thank you for the information. I have been informed as a licensed mental health counselor, I cannot bill Medicare or Medicaid. Is that so?
This is true, but perhaps not for long!
Here’s a quick video about it!
http://thriveworks.com/medical-credentialing/can-an-lmhc-lmft-or-lpc-accept-medicare
Is it true that an LPC in Illinois cannot get on insurance panels?
That’s a good question! In the State of IL, and LPC is not a terminal license (It is the intern-level license). Instead, the terminal license is an LPCC (That is Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor). This produced some confusion, because in most states, the termal license for professional counselors is an LPC, or an LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor). So, you are correct that the majority of insurance companies will not accept your license, because it is an intern-level license. However, they will accept a terminal license, which in your state is an LPCC.
Actually, the terminal license in Illinois is LCPC –Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor.
Yes, I didn’t realize I had said otherwise. I don’t know why states insist on having their own designations — the LPC-LCPC-LPCC states are the strangest, as what is terminal in one state is only associate-level in another!
I actually went to graduate school for counseling in IL…what feels like a lifetime ago
Is it possible for a Master’s level Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor to get on insurance panels? If not, is there any way for me to bill insurance within a private practice where others are licensed psychologists and social workers (i.e. if they co-sign)?
While there are always exceptions, CAADC providers are not eligible to bill insurance, unless they are also fully licensed. In addition, for most behavioral health practices, a provider cannot bill under another providers license. There are always exceptions, however! Good luck! –your Friends at Thriveworks
I recently got my LSW and have worked at a drug and alcohol agency and have worked for hospice for 6 years and have been billed as a medical social worker. I am looking at Outpt therapy and am not paneled. I hope to get my LCSW and would like to get paneled how hard will this be. I have an interview with an established agency and they asked if I was paneled, do this agencies typically help clinicians in getting paneled or am I on my own? Will this prevent me from getting a position with an established agency?
Dear Michele,
Good question! Once you get your LCSW you will be eligible to be paneled with insurance companies. Some agencies will do your credentialing for you. However, it has become more common for agencies to want counselors to be credentialed before they are hired on. There are a couples reasons for this. First, the credentialing process can take us to about 3-6 months now–and that’s a long time to have a staff member unable to see clients / patients with insurance. Second, the process of getting on insurance panels is an expense to the practice, and some practices have had clinicians change direction (that is, leave the agency) only a short time after getting credentialed. –We hope this helps!
Sincerely,
Your Friends at Thriveworks
If I was to work for two different counseling firms, would one or two applications be needed for the insurance panels? I figured the ones that are listed as a group practice would need two applications, but what about the panels where I would be independent?
thanks
Hi Carrie. Usually just one application. We Would simply post two practice locations for you, and two different tax ID numbers to bill under. We hope this helps!
We are a family run business operating from Uvongo, South Coast of KZN.
We have been in business for six years on the South Coast and have build good relations with businesses in the area as well as our clients.
C&D get allocated a lot of Insurance claims from Brokers & Assessors.
C&D would like to become part of panels for Insurance Companies.
Thank you kindly
Clive
I have a CAQH number and used to be on insurance panels, but took a 2 year contract job overseas. Can Thriveworks help to quickly get me back on insurance panels? I’m in Athens, GA and would like to take Magellan (Wellcare/ Amerigroup), Cigna, BC/BS, and United. Please email me a quote of how much this would cost. I can do it myself as I have before, but it might be easier (and I’m hoping quicker) to go through your organization.
Greetings!
From what you describe, it sounds like we’re going to be starting from square one–or perhaps two. We will need to see if you still have an active CAQH number. And CAQH is only the very beginning of the process! Regarding a quote, it would depend entirely on how many panels you wanted to be on. Would you be willing to give us a call at 1-855-4-THRIVE? I’m sure we could give you a full quote (and a no pressure conversation) in just a couples minutes!
I take my boards on May 30 for licensure as LMFT. I am currently under supervision in Kissimmee, Florida at a private practice. How do I go about getting on insurance panels and can I do it as an individual or under group since my supervisor is already on panels. Thanks so much, Robin
Greetings Robin!
You will want to be independently credentialed, and the perhaps connect yourself with a group for billing purposes.
Even thought your supervisor is credentialed, you will still need to have your own credentialing.
If you like, we can help you get on those insurance panels! Call us anytime at 1-855-4-THRIVE x3!
I currently work for a group practice and have several insurances that I accept through that group practice. I was wondering if it is possible to take those contracts or credentials and work privately. Also, how long will this process take? If I’m credentialed, can I just start up my own practice? In general, what is the difference between being credentialed and contracted? I just want to make sure I have my terminology correct. Can your company assist me with this? Thanks!
Greetings!
Some amount of new credentialing will need to be done, but you might have a big jumpstart. If we need to start from scratch, it will take about 120 days. If we have a good jumpstart, it will take about 60. We hope this helps!
Is it possible for a Speech Therapist to become independently credentialed when the majority of therapy is provided in the patient’s home? I contract with two companies with only a home office.
Yes it is!
Hi. Please email me the process for contracting your services. I am an LCSW. I am recently licensed and no longer working at the group practice I’ve been receiving supervision from for the last three years. I am interested in starting a private practice and need help with credentialing. Please contact me so we can get started. I have an NPI number and I have submitted a preliminary application to Aetna who reports I will be receiving info in the mail regarding CAQH. Thanks.
Hi there,
I am an LPC in Oregon and am considering transitioning out of the group practice I work for and into a private practice 2 hours north (still in OR). I am credentialed with a number of insurance panels and am wondering if this will make the transition easier – i.e. the insurance companies can just switch me to private practice counselor v/s being under the group umbrella, without having to start over with the panels. Does this make sense? Thoughts? Thanks so much.
Katy,
Thank you for your question — we will contact you right away, to answer you questions!
Are you able to help with getting credentialed with workman’s comp?
Hrm. I’m not sure… Adam, I think you should call our head of credentialing on that one. 1-855-4-THRIVE (x-4).
Hello,
I am looking to pay an insurance broker to assist in getting my partner and I into as many insurance company panels as possible. Do you provide such service, or know of someone who does?
Thank you.
Yes, that is precisely what we do!
Hi I am interested in learning how to get on insurance panels. I have been licensed as a LMFT for 2 years in California. I have experience working with children, teens and adults and families. I specializing in grief, loss, cancer related issues, trauma, and am currently finishing up my basic training for EMDR. I am also an adjunct professor at California Lutheran University, teaching graduate psychology courses in Domestic Violence and Abuse as well as Child therapy. I would be very interested in receiving in learning how your company could help me in getting on insurance panels. I would also be very interested in your pricing options and the length of time of your credentialing process. Thank you so much.
Hi Gina, being licensed for 2 years, you are eligible for basically all the insurance panels. Please feel free to reach us anytime at 1-855-4-THRIVE (x-3). BTW, your specializations may also help your credentialing if you are in a competitive area!
How much is your service? I’m an LCSW in Virginia interested in starting a private practice and getting paneled with insurance companies, including Medicaid and medicare. Thanks!
Hi Jamie, I’m sorry I can’t answer this question directly, because it really depends. Please feel free to call us, and we can give you a no-pressure quote!
I am currently on several panels in the state of TN. My husband and I are looking at moving back home to Texas for his retirement in the future. In this situation how would your service be able to help me? Please Email
Your services sound wonderful
Yes Gayla, we help a lot of clinicians who are moving, and want to transfer their insurance credentialing! Please feel free to reach us anytime at 1-855-4-THRIVE (x-3). I hope this helps!
I recently received my LCSW in New Jersey. I am currently working for a large for- profit mental health agency, but want to start out on my own as soon as possible. Is there a waiting time between getting an LCSW and being able to be paneled?
Hi Myrna, for the vast majority of panels, there is now waiting period. A few panels (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!!
Hello,
I am a MHC in Florida,( I will be registering as an intern soon to begin the process of becoming licensed). My supervisor where I work now is a lmhc and is starting a private practice. I am interested in working with her. Can she bill insurance companies for my services under her liscence?
Thanks!
Hi Pamela,
Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately, will not be able to bill under your supervisor’s license/credentialing. However, once you’re licensed, you will be eligible to be credentialed with most insurance companies!
–Anthony
Thank you for your answer. I am permitted to work under her liscense as a masters level MHC for a self pay fee however, correct? I have heard of this being done but I want to ask an ‘authority’ on the subject.
Hi,
I am very interested. Is your service guaranteeing credentialing? I am in Suffolk County NY and most companies are saying they are not taking new applicants in Suffolk county Long Island NY 11741. I am on one Empire plan and I am waiting on Value options. I am listed on CAQH. I am not sure that you can help. CAn you also tell me the cost since I have done some of the work. L
Hi Linda, we would love to give you a quote for insurance credentialing! We will email you, but please feel free to also call us at 1-855-4-THRIVE! BTW, to answer your questions, since you have done some of the work already, YES, this may reduce the cost!
Two Questions: I am an owner of a new counseling company in Texas. May my LPC interns be certified to bill insurance?
Secondly, I am a doctor of psychology . However I am not licensed in my state …to date. May an Intern, working for my company opperate as an officer for my company- thus allowing for the certiffication of my company to bill insurance?
Dr. Harold
Greetings Dr. Harold,
Congrats on the new office! Unfortunately, the answers to both questions is “no” and “no.” I hate being the bearer of bad news. If you’d like to talk further, perhaps we could come up with a solution that would work for your practice. Call us anytime at 1-855-4-THRIVE (847483). Warmly, Anthony.
Hi,
I am a newly licensed psychologist in NY. Like some of the previous posters here I practice in Long Island and was told by BCBS, Aetna, and United that their panels were closed. Can you still get me in?
Thanks!
Hi Dave, perhaps! It would be best for us to talk by telephone…we’d like to ask you some questions about your practice, specialties, referral sources, experience, and specific location! David, our helpful sales person is going to reach out to you today! Also, please feel free to give us a call!
I am a massage therapist in Portland Oregon and have been practicing for over 9 years now. For the first time I am working independently full time and need to get things rolling! I will be completely starting from scratch with insurance panels and billing. I plan on calling within the next couple days but thought I’d get a head start with asking about what direction to take. Thanks!
Hi, I am an LPCC in Ohio. I am going to apply to get onto insurance panels and was offered a job working whith a Psychiatrist who has established an LLP. He said that I could work for him and give him 30 percent and he would include me on his LLP. Would I still have to get paneled idividually or would I be able to bill using his LLP credentials? If I have to get credentialed independently, would I be at an advantage to be working with this MD?
Connie, it was good talking with you!