Community Pharmacy Credentialing for Medical Insurance to Facilitate Sustainability in COVID-19 Testing

Background: In April 2020, pharmacists were added as medical providers under Idaho Medicaid in response to recent scope expansion for pharmacists and to increase beneficiaries' access to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing and services. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted expedited Medicaid enrollment for pharmacists but did not address coverage of medical services provided to privately insured individuals for pharmacy-based testing services. Objective: This study aimed to describe processes used by independently owned, community-based pharmacies in Idaho to credential with private insurers and report outcomes. Methods: Relevant information and forms required to credential with the four major payers in the state of Idaho were collected. Packets were obtained via medical insurers' websites and by direct contact. Questions that arose from community pharmacists during the submission process were collected and answered on a shared spreadsheet, and insurance representatives were contacted directly to resolve questions. Results: Eight out of 13 participating pharmacies submitted an average of three credentialing packets for their facilities. Thirty-five pharmacists also submitted an average of four credentialing packets for themselves. As of mid-May 2021, nearly 20 weeks after submission, only 67 out of 129 pharmacists had received word regarding the status of their applications. Less than half of all pharmacist applications were approved (after their first attempt). Conclusion: Efforts to support the education of both pharmacists and medical insurers may streamline the credentialing processes in the future.