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CRNP contracting, credentialing, and collaborative agreements

May 20, 2021

This article contains new information about contracting & credentialing scenarios.

A Certified registered nurse practitioner (CRNP) must meet all the requirements of Independence's credentialing criteria and have a collaborative agreement with a participating physician who holds a current and unrestricted license. The training and scope of practice of the collaborating physician must be consistent with the practice of the CRNP.

The agreement must comply with current applicable state and federal regulations.

If you have already been credentialed, there is no need to resubmit a credentialing application.

Contracting and credentialing scenarios

CRNP credentialing requirement:

Scenario​ Required / Not allowed​ Notes
Physician PCP officeRequiredCRNPs bill under their own National Provider Identifier (NPI) number unless service meets “incident to" guidelines (physician does not need to be in the office for CRNP to see members).
CRNP-only PCP office (no physician present)RequiredCRNPs must have a collaborative physician agreement.
Physician specialist officeRequiredCRNPs bill under their own NPI number unless it meets “incident to" guidelines.
A physician must be present in the office for at least 75 percent of the hours in which the office is scheduling patients for a CRNP to be contracted and credentialed with Independence.
CRNP-only hospital or nursing home practiceNot allowed 

Policy

Please visit our Medical & Claim Payment Policy Portal to view the current Independence policies on reimbursing CRNPs:

  • Commercial: #00.10.40d: Incident To and Non-Incident To Services Performed by Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners (CRNPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs)
  • Medicare Advantage: #MA00.045d: Incident To and Non-Incident To Services Performed by Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners (CRNPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs)

Frequently Asked Questions

The information in this article is available in our Updated credentialing requirements and reimbursement position for CRNPs (FAQ). The FAQ will be updated as more information becomes available.

Learn more

To learn more about CRNP direct supervision requirements during COVID-19, please read our article.

To complete the credentialing process, please visit the Independence Professional Provider Credentialing webpage.


This content was prepared for the Provider News Center and may not be reproduced in any way without the express written permission of Independence Blue Cross. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
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