Top 10 Insurance Panels Every Healthcare Provider Should Join in 2025

In 2025, strategically enrolling with the right insurance panels can significantly expand your patient base. For new or independent providers, gaining access to major payers increases visibility, revenue, and credibility. However, distinguishing the most valuable panels can be challenging. 

That’s why we developed this guide that will assist you in selecting the optimal insurance networks to assist your practice in 2025.

What Are Insurance Panels?

An insurance panel is the official roster of providers authorized to deliver services within a payer’s network. As an in-network provider, you become eligible for reimbursement under the payer’s terms, which increases patient access and trust. Most patients prefer seeing providers who accept their insurance.

It also helps in becoming an insurance panel member; you receive more trust, new patients, and long-term relationships. It also implies that you will have consistent profits, as insured patients tend to choose providers from the net list.

How We Selected the Top 10 Panels 

We evaluated each panel based on contractual value, ease and timeliness of reimbursement, claims processing efficiency, and the reach of the patient population. We also considered how each panel fits diverse provider types, including physicians, nurse practitioners, mental health clinicians, and more.

1. Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS)

BCBS is a trusted, nationwide insurance network with strong brand recognition. Practically every state has one or more BCBS affiliates, making it a vital panel for broad geographic coverage. BCBS plans typically offer competitive reimbursement rates and inspire patient confidence.

2. UnitedHealthcare

As one of the largest U.S. insurers, UnitedHealthcare operates in all 50 states. It leverages advanced digital tools for claims and prior authorizations and offers broad panel access across provider levels. With offerings across employer-sponsored plans, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid, UnitedHealthcare serves diverse practice needs.

3. Aetna

Aetna is a leading facility provider focusing on mental health and primary care. It offers a broad health plan that covers both large employer-based and individual healthcare. Aetna is also easy to work with for many therapists and psychiatrists. The company is well established in major cities as well as small towns. If you are a mental health specialist or a provider of chronic care, Aetna could be a key member of your panel.

4. Cigna

Cigna is urban-based and pays attention to the prevention, chronic, and behavioral health. They have good online tools that are constructed to accommodate modern practices. They also provide strong support to providers in the form of education, portals, and billing assistance. Cigna is an intelligent decision in case the specialist or mental health provider decides to collaborate with a large payer and access more covered patients.

5. Humana

Humana is at the top of the Medicare Advantage plans, which are excellent for providers of older adults. They are powerful in the South and Midwest, and they provide good rates. Humana is worth your time in case you have a senior-focused practice or otherwise are seeking to expand your Medicare practice. They have panels that are open, and their credentialing is an easy process when initiated at an early stage.

6. Tricare

Tricare is a plan that covers military family members, veterans, and service members. Tricare is a reliable payer that many providers do not take seriously. The billing system is straightforward, and the patients are loyal. Tricare can be a valuable addition if you plan to treat military families and expand your roster of patients.

7. Molina Healthcare

Molina is involved with Medicaid and marketplace plans, focusing especially on underserved markets. It operates in most states and often partners with community clinics. You might consider joining Molina as a provider, especially if you work with low-income patients or live in an area with many Medicaid patients.

8. Anthem

One of the biggest BCBS-affiliated companies is known as Anthem. It is spread across numerous states and serves individual plans as well as group plans. It is said that Anthem collaborates with numerous varieties of providers, including specialists and general practitioners. They are an ideal choice for emerging, as well as young, practices because of their size and support.

9. Medicare (CMS)

It is mandatory that any provider who provides services to older adults should have Medicare. It is nationwide insurance for individuals aged 65 who have disabilities in a specific manner. Being on the Medicare panel can assist you in developing your practice and increasing the number of patients in care. Medicare is an agency of CMS and operates on PECOS enrollment. It forms the basis of a majority of medical activities.

10. Medicaid (State-Based)

Medicaid provides insurance for low-income patients, children, and people with disabilities across all states. Each state runs its own Medicaid program, so you must apply separately in each one. You need Medicaid if you’re a pediatrician, a behavioral health provider, or a clinic serving the community. It may take some time, but it helps reach more patients who need assistance.

How to Apply for Panels

To join insurance panels, you must complete credentialing via platforms such as CAQH ProView, obtain an NPI, enroll in PECOS for Medicare, and submit payer-specific applications. The process can take 60 to 120 days—or longer—so planning ahead is essential. Many providers opt for credentialing services to streamline this process.

Benefits of Joining Multiple Panels

Enrolling with multiple payers expands patient access, diversifies reimbursement risk, and reduces claim delays. A broader panel network helps fill appointment schedules, sustain your practice’s brand, and stabilize revenue—making your panel roster a priceless business asset.

Conclusion

Choosing the optimal mix of insurance panels can significantly impact your practice’s growth trajectory. Our top 10 panels combine deep networks, strong reimbursement terms, and diverse patient access. Whether targeting Medicare and BCBS or Cigna and Molina, beginning the process early—and keeping applications accurate—can enhance your success. For added efficiency, consider engaging credentialing specialists.

 FAQs:

Q1. What is an insurance panel?

An insurance panel is essentially a list of medical care providers authorized by an insurance company to serve its members. Being part of this panel means you are an in-network provider, which allows better access to care for your patients and ensures good reimbursement for the services you provide.

Q2: Why did I join various insurance panels?

You will have better access to patients, increased exposure, and more stability in your income by participating in multiple panels. It also diversifies your risk if one payer is slow to pay or covers less.

Q3: How long does it take to be credentialed with the insurance companies?

The credentialing process can take anywhere from 60 to 120 days or may even become a longer process, depending on the payer and the overall completeness of your application. Some closed panels might not be timely.

Q4: Can I do credentialing myself?

Yes, you can self-credential, make the necessary applications to individual insurance companies, and manage your CAQH portfolio. However, in an effort to save time, eliminate delays, and reduce medical errors, some providers prefer to use a credentialing service instead.

Q5: What happens in such a case that my application to a panel is declined?

Even if you are denied, you have the chance to appeal or reapply after fixing the issue. Reasons for denial usually include missing documents, an incomplete profile in CAQH, or being on a closed panel. The practitioners in the credentialing field can assist with these matters.