I have updated contact information for the major national insurance and managed care companies.

Check with major employers and unions in your area to identify which ones to pursue. In order to bill a client’s insurance company, you need to apply to be credentialed or “paneled”.

The list has direct links to provider relations information on the web as well as details outlining the number of insured lives covered, necessary paperwork and reimbursement rates. Information on the number of covered lives is taken from a study by Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government. We compiled information regarding payment and paperwork requirements from insurance and managed care websites as well as surveys of licensed counselors.

This past year included many mergers among these companies. Counselors should note that these changes could offer opportunities as the companies expand into new areas. This is a good time to consider applying to become a provider to these companies. Remember, persistence will pay off when applying to become a provider or even when asking to be considered for an increase in reimbursement rates.

Blue Cross/Blue Shield (Various states)
AETNA
(covers 11 million)
UOP Station
P.O. Box 2907
Minneapolis, MN 55402
http://www.aetna.com/provider/credentialing.html
1-800-333-1232

AMERICAN PSYCH SYSTEMS/ APS Healthcare (Maryland)
(covers 20 million)
6705 Rockledge Drive Ste. #200
Bethesda, MD 20817
1-800-888-1965
http://www.apshealthcare.com/providers.aspx

BENEFIT ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEMS, LTD various regions
17475 Jovanna Drive, Suite #1B
Homewood, IL 60430-4623
1-708-799-7400
http://benadmsys.com/
Note: administers PHCS, CCN, Beach Street, MultiPlan, ABCCompany
payment varies

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. *National
Two Metroplex Drive, Ste. #500
Birmingham, AL 35209
1-800-245-1150
http://www.mhneteap.com/docs/provintro.aspx
$65 initial assessment, $60 individual psychotherapy, in network only, no balance billing,
extensive paperwork

MULTIPLAN
115 5th Avenue
New York, NY 10013
1-800-546-3887
http://www.multiplan.com/providers

PACIFICARE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH *National
(covers 4 million)
23046 Avenida de la Corlota Ste. #700
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
http://www.pbhi.com/Providers_public/MyHomePage/MyHomePage.asp
$60-75
1-800-357-5850

 

PLANNED BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, INC. (affiliated w/MHN)*National
(covers 10 million)
9535 Forest Lane Ste.#110
Dallas, TX 75243
http://www.mhneteap.com/docs/provintro.aspx
1-800-866-7242 x2452
5 years clinical experience required

PPO NEXT
1-800-334-5646
http://www.pponext.com/v5/provider/index.asp

PRINCIPAL LIFE
PO Box39710
Colorado Springs, CO 80949
1-800-233-8030

TRICARE *National
(through Value Options w/physician supervision for now)
http://www.mytricare.com/internet/tric/tri/tricare.nsf/HomePage/Prov?OpenDocument

UNITED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, INC.
(covers 22 million)
One Piere Place, Ste.#550w
Itasca, IL 60143
1-800-333-8724/ 1-800-250-6176/
http://www.ubhonline.com/cred/credIndex.html

UNITED HEALTHCARE INSURANCE CO.
P. O. Box 30555
Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0555
1-800-638-8075
1-877-842-3210 provider relations
https://www.unitedhealthcareonline.com/b2c/frameIndex.html

VALUE OPTIONS
(covers 24 million)
P.O. Box 141927
Irving, TX 75014-1927
1-800-228-1286
1-800-535-0108
1-800-247-6070 (IL, MI, WS, OH)
http://www.valueoptions.com/providers/Providers.htm

WELLPOINT Anthem
(covers 13.7 million)
San Diego, CA
1-800-728-9493
Call for provider application
http://wellpointbehavioral.com/pro/pro_index.html

Response to Managed Care Denials

The following strategy has been used to respond to denials by an insurance claim or refusal to allow a clinician to be a member of a managed care panel. For the most
effective response, a letter should be sent by the client and the counselor.

A letter is sent from the client to the managed care or insurance company explaining why they wish to see this particular licensed counselor. A copy (cc) is sent to the client’s company benefits manager.

The counselor sends an appeal to both the client’s employer benefits manager and managed care or insurance company outlining the counselor’s credentials and giving the
reason the client was referred to him/her. Always have the client sign a release so this letter can be sent.

A more detailed description with examples about how to utilize these letters in working with managed care is also available in our book: “The Complete Guide to Private Practice”.