BlueCross BlueShield-Magellan Update: Blue Cross Delays Credentialing Transition

“Delayed” Copyright © 2007 Jordiet. Edited slightly. CC BY-SA 2.0

In a previous blog post, we let you know that BlueCross BlueShield of Minnesota decided to outsource its behavioral health division to Arizona-based Magellan Health. As was planned, Magellan began managing behavioral healthcare cases for BlueCross BlueShield on April 1, 2017.

However, another very important date for providers has changed:

BlueCross delays credentialing transition until when?

Previously, BlueCross planned to keep in-network providers on their original contracts until the end of 2017. And during this year, providers were to negotiate their new contracts with Magellan health. Then, providers would become contracted with Magellan on January 1, 2018.

But in a recent letter to providers, BlueCross announced that it would delay the credentialing process indefinitely for unknown reasons.

What does this mean for my BlueCross contract?

BlueCross says that it will continue to honor its current contracts with providers until it decides when to hand over credentialing to Magellan. You will not have to do anything in order to continue seeing BlueCross customers if you are already contracted with them.

What do I do with my credentialing packet?

If you have received your credentialing packet, you can still send it to Magellan so that you’re ready when the credentialing transition starts again. However, Magellan is not negotiating with providers right now at the request of BlueCross.

Stay tuned for more updates once BlueCross BlueShield announces a new date for the credentialing transition.