Thank you for your interest in joining our provider network. Learn about contracting, credentialing and recredentialing here.
Please review each section below to learn about the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) contracting process, including how to request a contract.
Note: A request for a contract is not a guarantee that you will receive one.
1. Check if contract requests are being 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. Provider networks that sufficiently meet the access and availability needs of our members are managed.
Managed networks = Contract requests are not being accepted at this time.
Managed network specialties
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Limited network 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.
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2. Confirm whether you are in the contracting area
Blue Cross's provider contracting area includes Minnesota and the border counties (see below) of North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin. Lab, DME and Pharmacy providers are an exception to this contracting area.
Need to submit a claim? 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, please contact your local Blue Cross Blue Shield plan. Not sure who your local plan is? Find out here.
Provider contracting states and counties
Iowa
- Allamakee
- Dickinson
- Emmet
- Howard
- Kossuth
- Lyon
- Mitchell
- Osceola
- Winnebago
- Winneshiek
- Worth
North Dakota
- Cass
- Grand Forks
- Pembina
- Richland
- Trail
- Walsh
South Dakota
- Brookings
- Deuel
- Grant
- Minnehaha
- Moody
- Roberts
Wisconsin
- Buffalo
- Burnett
- Douglas
- La Crosse
- Pepin
- Pierce
- Polk
- Saint Croix
- Trempealeau
- Vernon
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)
- All affiliated practitioners
Note: Enrolling with MHCP does not mean that providers have to contract with MHCP (although providers may do this if they wish).
Please do not submit a contract request form until you receive a MHCP Enrollment or Welcome Letter/Notification.
Instructions for enrolling with MHCP can be found on the DHS website.
- Select “Enrollment process for Managed Care Organization (MCO) network providers”
4. Request a contract (if eligible)
Contracting information for specific provider types
For some types of providers, we have different forms and processes to help you join our network. Choose which type of provider you are to see information for you:
- Behavioral health and substance abuse disorder providers
- Chiropractors and physical therapists
- Dentists
- Medicare hearing aid providers
- Pharmacy
- Transportation, interpreters, PCA/CFSS/FMS agencies and housing stabilization services
Contracting information for all other provider specialties
If you are a healthcare provider that is not listed above, please complete a contract request form
Five or fewer practitioners: When requesting a contract or new location, please submit the MN Uniform Practitioner Change form for each practitioner.
Six or more practitioners: If six or more need to be affiliated with the new location or contract, please fill out the Multiple practitioner add sheet (xlsx).
About forms: To open or fill in PDF forms, you'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader. Having trouble opening PDFs? See tips from Adobe.
How to submit forms
Save and email the form(s) to provider.enrollment.and.credentialing@bluecrossmn.com
or mail to:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
Provider - PDO
PO Box 982809
El Paso, TX 79998-2809
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.
5. Respond to credentialing request (if applicable)
About credentialing
Some specialties require credentialing. Contracted providers are expected to always remain in compliance with credentialing criteria. The Blue Cross Credentialing team will notify you if credentialing is required. See the manual for detailed information.
Do not see Blue Cross members until you receive an executed (signed by Blue Cross) contract or amendment. Any claims submitted prior to that time will either be denied or processed as out of network.
Provider demographic updates
Keep your information up to date, whether it's address, phone number, practitioners or other changes, including changes to directory information.