To learn more about why contracting with Blue Shield is the right decision for your practice, view these documents.
Read about what we require from our physicians and other healthcare professionals who participate in our Blue Shield Provider Networks.
Credentialing is determined by line of business - Commercial/Medicare and Medi-Cal. Individual practitioners that are joining provider groups with existing Blue Shield of California (Blue Shield) Commercial, Medicare and/or Blue Shield Promise Medi-Cal contracts, individual practitioners wanting to join as a new solo practitioner, or provider groups with Commercial/Medicare contracts, please utilize the Provider Credentialing Intake Form.
For new solo practitioners and provider groups wanting to join the Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan (Blue Shield Promise) line of business, please go to Join the Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan provider network.
The Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare (CAQH) allows insurance companies to use a single, uniform application for credentialing across health plans. Blue Shield leverages CAQH as a preferred partner to streamline the credentialing process.
If you are a CAQH participant, please complete the Provider Credentialing Intake Form and submit the form to BSCInitialApp@blueshieldca.com.
If you are not a CAQH participant but would like to become one, please complete the CAQH ProView profile. Once you have registered, complete the Provider Credentialing Intake Form and submit the form to BSCInitialApp@blueshieldca.com.
If you are not interested in becoming a CAQH participant, please complete the California participating practitioner application (CPPA) and Checklist (PDF, 757 KB). Email or mail the application and all supporting documentation outlined in the checklist to:
Blue Shield of California
Attn: Credentialing Department
601 12th Street, 21st Floor
Oakland, CA 94607
If the required supporting documents are missing or the documents with signature pages are dated more than three months prior to the receipt of the completed application, the Credentialing Department will contact the applicant for the missing information. Failure to submit the information within the third attempt of the Credentialing Department contacting you will be considered a voluntary withdrawal of the application.
If you have previously completed a CPPA for another health plan or medical group, you may submit it for this process. The application must be complete and accurate, dated with a current date, signed, and accompanied by all Blue Shield-required supporting documentation.
The standard turnaround time for processing a complete initial CAQH or CPPA is between 90 and 120 days. For general inquiries related to the application including status updates, email BSCCredentialingInquiry@blueshieldca.com.
Download and complete the Independent Provider Agreement (PDF, 402 KB) or the Independent Provider Agreement – All Products (PDF, 582 KB). If needed, Exhibits A and B explained (PDF 383 KB) will assist you in understanding and completing this section of the contract. In addition, the following documents may be required for contracting:
Submit the completed, signed and unaltered Independent Provider Agreement and all applicable documents listed above to Provider Information & Enrollment by either fax, email or postal mail. If any changes are made to the agreement, it will not be accepted.
Fax: (916) 350-8860
Blue Shield of California
Attn: Provider Information & Enrollment
P.O. Box 629017
El Dorado Hills, CA 95762-9010
Blue Shield will assign the effective date for your participating status base upon approval from the Credentialing Committee and the Contracting Department. Services rendered to Blue Shield members prior to this effective date will process as out-of-network.
A copy of the executed Independent Provider Agreement including the assigned effective date will be returned to you after processing. Please contact Provider Information & Enrollment with questions related to your contract at (800) 258-3091 or by email at BSCProviderInfo@blueshieldca.com,
Read about what we require from our physicians and other healthcare professionals in our Blue Shield Provider Networks.
Get all of your applications, request forms, and credentialing information in one place for all lines of business (Commercial, Medicare and Medi-Cal).
Learn how to become a Blue Shield Promise Medi-Cal provider.
Find out how you can help us ensure that children in California have access to care they need.
Find out how to continue participation in our network, including a recredentialing application and mailing instructions.