Free tool

Credentialing backward timeline planner

Enter the date you need the provider billing and this shows the latest date to start each application, with the dependencies that catch people out — 855I before 855R, CAQH attested before commercial submission, licence before everything. Planning guide only; payer queues are outside anyone's control.

Commercial credentialing (each payer)

Mar 1, 2026

Range: 90 to 180 days review + 30 to 45 contracting/loading

Dependency: CAQH must be current and authorised for each payer first.

Medicaid state FFS enrolment

Apr 15, 2026

Range: 30 to 180+ days

Dependency: Every state differs.

Medicaid MCO #1 credentialing

Apr 15, 2026

Range: 30 to 180 days each

Dependency: In managed-care states, state enrolment alone reaches a minority of patients.

Medicaid MCO #2 credentialing

Apr 15, 2026

Range: 30 to 180 days each

Dependency: In managed-care states, state enrolment alone reaches a minority of patients.

Medicaid MCO #3 credentialing

Apr 15, 2026

Range: 30 to 180 days each

Dependency: In managed-care states, state enrolment alone reaches a minority of patients.

DEA registration (prescribing specialties)

Jun 14, 2026

Range: 4 to 8 weeks

Dependency: Required before prescribing; sits on the critical path for those specialties.

Medicare 855I (PECOS)

Jul 14, 2026

Range: 45 to 90 days

Dependency: Submit electronically. ~⅓ return for correction; a development letter pauses the clock.

Medicare 855R (reassignment)

Aug 28, 2026

Range: 30 to 45 days

Dependency: Cannot process until the 855I is approved. Sequence it after, not before.

Planning guide only. Payer queues are outside anyone's control and these are ranges, not commitments. Each interval reflects the conservative end of published processing times.

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