Behavioral Health

How to Get Credentialed with Optum Behavioral Health in California

Network: Open
30-45 Days CAQH Required

Quick Overview

Timeline

30 - 45 days

CAQH

Required

Re-credentialing

Every 3 year(s)

Delegated

No

California-Specific Requirements

Optum Behavioral Health (UnitedHealth Group). Apply via providerexpress.com. CAQH ProView profile required and must be attested. Optum handles BH credentialing for all UHC plans. Processing 45-90 days. Accepted BH license types in CA: LPCC, LCSW, LMFT, Licensed Psychologist, MD/DO (Board Certified), PMHNP. State licensing board: California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Active state license and NPI required. CA uses LPCC (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor) not LPC. Psychologists licensed by the CA Board of Psychology. CA Board of Behavioral Sciences licenses LPCCs, LCSWs, and LMFTs. Largest BH managed care organization. Manages BH benefits for UHC, many employer groups, and some Medicaid/Medicare plans.

Step-by-Step Enrollment Process

1

Gather Required Documents

Collect all necessary credentials including your medical license, DEA certificate, malpractice insurance, NPI number, and any state-specific requirements for California.

2

Complete Your CAQH ProView Profile

Optum Behavioral Health requires a current CAQH ProView profile. Create or update your profile at proview.caqh.org and attest within 120 days.

3

Submit Your Application

Submit your completed enrollment package to Optum Behavioral Health.

4

Track & Follow Up

Credentialing typically takes 30-45 days. Monitor your application status and respond promptly to requests for additional information.

Free Consultation

Need help enrolling with Optum Behavioral Health?

Our specialists handle the entire Optum Behavioral Health enrollment process: applications, follow-ups, and approvals in California.

Required Documents Checklist

Board Certification

Conditional

Required if board certified in psychiatry or behavioral health specialty

CV/Resume

5-year work history minimum

DEA License

Conditional

Required if prescribing controlled substances (psychiatrists, APRNs)

Malpractice Insurance

Current malpractice insurance certificate

Medical License

Active state license (MD, DO, PhD, PsyD, LCSW, LPC, etc.)

NPI Certificate

Active NPI number required

Enrollment Forms

Optum Provider Express Application

Online provider application for Optum behavioral health network via Provider Express portal.

Required
Online Open →

Key Credentialing Terms

CAQH
The Council for Affordable Quality Health Care, an organization that maintains a universal provider database (CAQH ProVi...
Collaborative Practice Agreement
A formal written agreement between a physician and a nurse practitioner or physician assistant defining the terms of the...
Credentialing
The process of verifying a healthcare provider's qualifications, training, licensure, and professional background to ens...
Effective Date
The date on which a provider's enrollment or network participation becomes active, allowing them to begin billing a paye...
NPI
The National Provider Identifier is a unique 10-digit identification number issued by CMS to healthcare providers, requi...
Peer Review
A process in which a provider's clinical performance, decision-making, and outcomes are evaluated by other qualified pro...
Primary Source Verification
The process of verifying a provider's credentials directly from the original issuing source, such as medical schools, li...
Provider Enrollment
The process by which a healthcare provider applies to participate in an insurance payer's network, allowing the provider...

Credentialing Checklist

Make sure you have everything ready before applying to Optum Behavioral Health.

View Physician Credentialing Checklist →

Contact Information

Provider Credentialing

National

1-800-798-2739

Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

Provider Services

National

1-800-798-2739

Claims & Billing

National

1-800-798-2739

Need Help?

Let PayerReady handle your Optum Behavioral Health enrollment in California.

Get Started Now

Reviewed by the PayerReady Credentialing Team

Our credentialing specialists verify every article against current CMS regulations, NCQA standards, and payer-specific enrollment requirements. See our editorial process.

Need help enrolling with Optum Behavioral Health?

Our credentialing specialists handle the entire enrollment process: applications, follow-ups, and approvals across all 50 states.

Free consultation. No commitment required.

Faster Approvals

Ready to Cut Your Enrollment Timeline in Half?

Join providers in all 50 states who handed off credentialing to a dedicated specialist. Create your free account in minutes and start enrolling the same day.

All 50 States Covered
No Long-Term Contracts
HIPAA HIPAA Compliant Platform
Dedicated Specialist Included