Credentialing Process Simplified For COVID-19

April 09, 2020

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana is temporarily updating our credentialing policy and processes in response to the COVID-19 emergency. This complies with emergency state and federal regulations and is effective April 3, 2020. The temporary modifications are only in place during the COVID-19 emergency and subject to change based upon state and federal action. Otherwise, standard credentialing and processes will apply.

What’s Changing? We are simplifying the process of joining our network.

Subject to state actions on licensing and practice requirements, we will credential providers who meet the following conditions for the duration of the state-declared emergency or as specified by state requirements:

  • We will accept practitioners who hold a full unrestricted license to practice granted by any state subject to the state’s emergency provider licensure laws. We will accept temporary licenses.
  • We will waive accreditation requirements, CMS certification and site visits for institutional providers.
  • We will accept expired documents if they have been inactive or expired for less than six-months and the provider is unable to obtain a current document from the issuer due to the COVID-19 emergency. Licenses, accreditations or certifications that have been revoked for cause will not be accepted.

Credentialing criteria and verification sources may change. Continue to watch the News and Updates section of the BCBSMT Provider website for up-to-date information.