Join our new behavioral health network
At Independence, we take a comprehensive approach to your patients' health and emotional well-being. That approach starts with a view of their
whole health and their equitable access to care. It also includes working with providers to drive an integrated experience across physical and behavioral health services.
Integrating physical and behavioral health gets people the care they need, when they need it, and has a positive impact on health outcomes. That is why we are reevaluating how we approach behavioral health and collaborating with partners, like
Quartet Health, who share our commitment to solving behavioral and physical health challenges in an integrated way.
ALERT: Building a new behavioral health network
Independence is currently contracting with behavioral health providers to establish a high-quality and comprehensive behavioral health network. This new network will be live on
January 1, 2023.
Behavioral health providers interested in joining our network who do not currently participate with Magellan should
apply for credentialing.
To ensure continuity of care for our members, we encourage behavioral health providers to join our new network. Check these resources for more information:
Questions about credentialing can be directed to
Credentialing Inquiries.
To request an agreement or obtain more information, please email us at ibcbh@ibx.com.
Important note: Effective January 1, 2023:
- If you have a signed an Independence Professional Provider Agreement AND have previously been credentialed by Magellan Healthcare, Inc.,
you will be considered participating in the Independence Network and will reimbursed in accordance with the terms and conditions specified in the Independence Professional Provider Agreement. When you are scheduled to be re-credentialed (in accordance with your credentialing cycle), the Independence Credentialing team will reach out to your office to obtain the necessary documentation.
- If you have a signed Independence Professional Provider Agreement AND
are currently not participating with Magellan Healthcare, Inc.,
you will be considered non-participating until you have submitted an application and been credentialed by Independence. In order to ensure you will be considered participating in the Independence Network, please submit your application from the Independence website –
Become a provider | Independence Blue Cross (IBX) – as quickly as possible to allow for credentialing activities to ensure an effective date of January 1, 2023.
- If you have not signed an Independence Professional Provider Agreement but are currently participating with Magellan Healthcare, Inc.,
you will be considered participating in the Independence Network and will reimbursed in accordance with the terms and conditions specified in the
Magellan Professional Provider Agreement. While you will maintain your in-network participation status to provide services to Independence members, you will NOT be eligible for the Independence terms and conditions (including provider appeal rights and reimbursement) until at which time you sign an Independence Professional Agreement.
For information or questions regarding Magellan contracts or credentialling, please visit the Magellan website, or contact Magellan Provider Services at 1-800-788-4005. Note: After January 1, 2023, you will need to be credentialed by Independence and Magellan separately to participate in both networks.
Questions regarding your participation status in the Independence network effective January 1, 2023 can be emailed to
ibcbh@ibx.com.
Key steps to join our network
- To start the process,
apply for credentialing.
- Sign a contract. For more information, please email us at ibcbh@ibx.com.
- Register for access to our provider portal, known as PEAR (Provider Engagement, Analytics & Reporting). Visit the PEAR portal webpage for instructions on how to register.
Four steps to complete credentialing
It typically takes 30-60 days to complete the credentialing process once we have received all requested documentation.
- In addition to your application, you must submit all required supporting documentation. We will provide an email outlining what documents are needed.
- Once we have received all required documents, we will review the information on your CAQH ProView® application to ensure that it is consistent with the information provided on your Practitioner Participation Form. Please be sure to grant Credentialing permission to view/pull-in your CAQH application.
- Once your credentialing application has been approved, you will receive an email from DocuSign with the standard contract, if required.
- You have 15 business days from the date of the DocuSign email to electronically sign and return the contract. Please note: If the contract is NOT returned within this time frame, your credentialing application will be rescinded, and you will need to reapply if you still wish to become part of the Independence Blue Cross network.
Register for the PEAR portal
Our PEAR portal provides fast, secure web access to applications and reports that make it easier for providers to manage clinical and financial activities, such as billing. PEAR also provides access to a variety of health plan information specific to your provider organization.
Visit the PEAR portal webpage for instructions on how to register.
Quartet: Supporting behavioral health
Quartet Health – an independent health care technology and services company – enables primary care and behavioral health providers to collaborate on a member's behavioral health needs. The Quartet program is included at no additional cost to the member or employer.
If you have questions, or want to enroll with Quartet, please email Quartet at
support@quartethealth.com.
Other behavioral health resources