## Contracting eligibility

 ## Step 1: Determine if a contract request will be accepted for your specialty

Blue Cross continually assesses its network of providers to ensure that it is sufficient to meet the access and availability needs of its members throughout the service area in accordance with Minnesota Statute 62K.10.



###  Closed specialties 

Contract requests are not being accepted at this time.

- Acupuncture
- Certified Labs
- DME
- Hearing Aids
- Home Health
- Interpreter
- Non-Emergency Medical Transportation 
    - Common Carrier
    - Special Transportation Services
- Occupational Therapy
- Opticians
- Optometry
- OP Physical Rehab Facility
- Pharmacy
- Sleep Centers
- Retail Clinic
- Speech Therapy



 

 

 



###  Managed specialties 

Contract requests will be reviewed, but may not be approved.

All other specialties, including certain medical and behavioral health specialties, are considered Managed specialties.

 

 

 



###  Limited specialties 

Providers that are eligible for a provider contract but are not required to have a contract are limited. Limited networks are accepting contract requests.

- Community First Services and Supports (CFSS)
- Financial Management Services (FMS)
- Consultation Services (CS) providers do not need to submit a contract request form.



 

 

 



 

 

 

 ## Step 2: Confirm you are in the contracting area

The Blue Cross provider contracting area includes Minnesota and the border counties of North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin. Lab, DME and pharmacy providers are an exception to this contracting area. If you are not in one of these counties and are not a lab, DME or pharmacy provider and you need to submit a claim, contact your local Blue Cross plan.



###  Provider contracting states and counties 

**Iowa****North Dakota****South Dakota**Wisconsin**Minnesota**AllamakeeCassBrookingsBuffaloAll countiesAllamakeeCassBrookingsBuffalo DickinsonGrand ForksDeuelBurnett EmmetPembinaGrantDouglas HowardRichlandMinnehahaLa Crosse KossuthTrailMoodyPepin LyonWalshRobertsPierce Mitchell  Polk Osceola  Saint Croix Winnebago  Trempealeau Winneshiek  Vernon Worth  Vernon 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 ## Step 3: Mandatory enrollment with Minnesota Health Care Programs

Before a request for a contract can be considered, providers must enroll with Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP). MHCP is administered by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS).

The following must be enrolled: All clinic or facility NPIs; every clinic or facility location (if one NPI is affiliated with multiple locations); and all affiliated practitioners. Enrolling with MHCP does not mean that providers must contract with MHCP, though providers may do this if they wish. Instructions for enrolling with MHCP can be found on the [DHS website](https://mn.gov/dhs/partners-and-providers/enroll-with-mhcp/) (select “Enrollment process for Managed Care Organization (MCO) network providers”).

**Do not submit a contract request form until you receive a MHCP Enrollment or Welcome Letter/Notification.**



 

 

 

 

 ### Provider contact information

Mailing addresses, phone and fax numbers.



 

[View provider contact information](/providers/contact-us-healthcare-providers)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

## Contracts

## Step 4: Complete a contract request application for your provider type

**Do not see our members until you receive an executed contract or amendment.** Any claims submitted prior to that time will either be denied or processed as out of network.

**A request for a contract is not a guarantee that you will receive one.** The process for approved contract requests typically takes 60-90 days to complete. The timing is dependent on whether facility or practitioner credentialing by Blue Cross is needed. The Blue Cross Credentialing team will notify you if credentialing is required.



[View Provider FAQ](https://bluecrossmn.widen.net/content/aj6k6gpmf4/original/provider-faq.pdf)

 

 

### Contracting information for all provider types

- [Chiropractors and physical therapists](/providers/network-participation/join-our-network/network-information-chiropractors-and "Network information for chiropractors and physical therapists")
- [Dentists](/providers/network-participation/join-our-network/medicaldental-contracting "Medical/Dental contracting")
- [Medicare hearing aid providers](/providers/network-participation/join-our-network/contracting-medicare-hearing-aid "Contracting for Medicare hearing aid providers")



 

[All other provider types](https://bluecrossmn.quickbase.com/nav/app/bumwwiwnn/action/showpage?pageIdV2=quickbase.com-DashboardGroup-41b98c19-efac-4adc-a131-5148e3cddc6d)

 

 



### Respond to credentialing request (if applicable)

Some specialties require credentialing. Contracted providers are expected to always remain in compliance with credentialing criteria. The credentialing team will notify you if credentialing is required.

[View Credentialing & Recredentialing Policy Manual](https://bluecrossmn.widen.net/content/uno6prf3fj/original/bc-credentialing-recredentialing-provider-policy-manual_2.pdf "bc-credentialing-recredentialing-provider-policy-manual_2.pdf")