Join Our Network

Local physicians, facilities and health care professionals form the provider networks that deliver quality, accessible and cost-effective health care services to our members.

We invite you to join us. For a list of networks and their descriptions, related benefit plans and geographic areas, see the Networks and Benefit Plans for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois.

Providing information about languages you or your office personnel speak is voluntary. If disclosed, the information will not be used to make adverse contracting or credentialing decisions and will be used in accordance with applicable law.

Getting Started

Credentialing

To ensure the integrity of our network, we review and validate the professional qualifications of physicians and certain other providers who apply for participation in our networks through our credentialing process. For credentialing to participate in the Blue Cross Community Health Plans℠ network, see our Medicaid page. For all other networks, please read below.

Information from the CAQH Provider Data Portal supports the credentialing process. Ensure your professional and practice information is up to date with CAQH. If you don’t have a CAQH account, you’ll need to register.

  • Quick tips

    When entering your information into the CAQH Provider Data Portal:

    1. Complete all application questions.

    2. Ensure all sections of the application are accurate.

    3. Authorize BCBSIL so we can access your credentialing information.

    4. Attest to your data profile.

    5. Upload supporting documentation.

    We may contact you to supplement, clarify or confirm your information.

  • Data verification

    We’re working with Verisys to verify your credentialing data after you enter it into the CAQH Provider Data Portal. Verisys may contact you on behalf of BCBSIL and request that you:

    • Re-attest to your data’s accuracy, or
    • Complete your credentialing application by entering or attaching missing information in the CAQH Provider Data Portal

    You’ll receive written notification of your status when the credentialing process is completed.

  • Recredentialing

    BCBSIL recredentials network providers every three years. If your application is expired or missing information, CAQH will contact you to update your information. If you don’t respond, you’ll continue to receive recredentialing notices until your credentialing is expired. When it expires, we’ll terminate your participation in our networks.

    Verisys may contact you on our behalf and ask you to re-attest to your data's accuracy during the recredentialing process.

    Once the recredentialing process is complete, you’re considered approved unless otherwise notified.

  • Updating your information with CAQH

    You must keep your information current with CAQH. Enter any changes into the CAQH Provider Data Portal for us to access during the credentialing and recredentialing process. You must have authorized access for BCBSIL for us to receive your changes. Watch for reminders from CAQH to review and attest to your information.

    Learn about updating your information with BCBSIL.

  • Check credentialing status

    To check the status of your credentialing process, enter your NPI or license number in our Credentialing Status Checker.

  • Provider rights

    Providers applying or reapplying for participation or continued participation in health plan networks have the right to be informed of their right to:

    • Review information submitted on or with their credentialing and recredentialing application
    • Correct erroneous and/or conflicting information
    • Be informed of the status of their credentialing or recredentialing application, upon request

    Our credentialing department will notify applicants in writing if erroneous information is discovered during the verification process from any primary source. Applicants will be granted 30 calendar days to correct erroneous and/or conflicting information and resubmit to our credentialing department, the assigned Provider Relations Representative or the Medical Director. It's the applicant’s responsibility to work directly with the reporting entity to correct the erroneous and/or conflicting information.

Welcome to Our Network

If you're accepted into our networks, you'll receive a welcome letter or email with your network effective date and an invitation to register for one of our provider orientation sessions. These sessions provide valuable information to make working with us and serving our members easier.