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Become a Network Provider

How to Become a Network Provider

Thank you for your interest in becoming a contracted provider! Please complete and submit the appropriate provider Form and a member of the Contracting Department will contact you to discuss your eligibility for our network.

As a SummaCare provider, you can rely on:

  • An Ohio based company with its corporate headquarters located in Akron, Ohio.  We care because we live here, too. 
  • A dedicated local provider support team to keep you informed and maintain support in person, by email or by phone.
  • Initial and ongoing provider education through orientations, office visits, training and updates. 
  • The ability to check member eligibility, authorization and claims status 24/7 through our secure online portal.
  • A dedicated local claims team to ensure prompt payment.
  • A comprehensive approach to care for your patients through disease management programs, healthy behavior incentives, and quality care for the people in populations we serve.

To become a network provider, select your provider type below and follow the simple steps. 

Physician/Practitioner

Thank you for your interest in becoming a SummaCare Network Physician/Practitioner. Please review the following information and then continue with your application. 

  1. Are you located in or provide services within our service area? 

  2. Are you one of these licensed provider types? 
    Currently SummaCare credentials the following provider types: MD, DO, DC, COM, PhD, PA, CNM, CNS, EdD, PsyD, LISW, LPCC, PCC, BCBA/COBA, LIMFT, LICDC, RD, DMD (oral & maxillofacial surgery only).

  3. Are you board certified or board eligible?
    SummaCare requires board certification for MD, DO, DPM and DDS by one of the following: The American Board of Medical Specialties, American Osteopathic Association, American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery, American Board of Podiatric Medicine, American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, or The American Society of Addiction Medicine.

  4. Are you able to comply with the following expectations:
  • 24/7 availability or direction on where members are to go/call for help
  • Cross-coverage by a SummaCare Network Provider when unavailable
  • Admitting privileges at a SummaCare in-network hospital, or have a signed Hospital Coverage Agreement stating who will be admitting and caring for SummaCare members on their behalf.

If you answered YES to the items above:

Complete and return a Provider Services Request for Network Participation Form.

Please note: All new provider requests, including new providers being added to an existing contracted Tax ID need to complete the form. Incomplete forms will not be accepted.

Once your form is received: 

Contracting

  • Your form will be reviewed for service area, specialty, provider type, services provided and network need.
  • If approved, a contract will be sent to the representative listed on the form.
  • If denied, the representative listed on the form will be notified of the denial.
  • Please note: Once you return the signed contract back to us stating that the contract terms are agreed upon, we will begin the credentialing process.  You cannot see members until you successfully complete the credentialing process.

Credentialing for Physicians / Practitioners

  • Physicians and practitioners must have a CAQH (Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare) application completed in order to be credentialed.
  • Credentialing can take up to 90 days from the date SummaCare receives all requested documentation.
  • Upon approval of credentialing, your contract will be assigned an effective date and returned to the representative listed on the form. Denials will be notified within 30 days of this decision.
  • Questions regarding your credentialing status should be directed to the credentialing team directly by calling 330.996.8554 or by email to SCcredentialing@SummaHealth.org.

     

Ancillary Services Facility or Provider

Thank you for your interest in becoming a SummaCare Network Ancillary Services Facility or Provider. Please review the following information. 

  1. If you are providing services within our service area such as skilled nursing facility, surgery center, clinic, health department, physical therapy center, in-patient hospital or behavioral health center, please complete the Ancillary Services Request for Network Participation Form and return it to us. Please feel free to include any other information that will help us make an informed decision regarding your services.
  2. If you are providing services on a national level such as labs, cardiac event monitoring, or telehealth, please complete the Ancillary Services Request for Network Participation Form and return it to us. Feel free to include any other information that will help us make an informed decision regarding your services.

Please note: Incomplete forms will not be accepted.

Once your form is received: 

Contracting

  • Your form will be reviewed for service area, specialty, provider type, services provided and network need.
  • If approved, a contract will be sent to the representative listed on the form.
  • If denied, the representative listed on the form will be notified of the denial.
  • Please note: Once you return the signed contract back to us stating that the contract terms are agreed upon, we will begin the credentialing process.  You cannot see members until you successfully complete the credentialing process.

Credentialing for Ancillaries & Facilities

  • Credentialing can take up to 90 days from the date SummaCare receives all requested documentation.
  • Upon approval of credentialing, your contract will be assigned an effective date and returned to the representative listed on the form. Denials will be notified within 30 days of this decision.
  • Questions regarding your credentialing status should be directed to the credentialing team directly by calling 330.996.8554 or by email to SCcredentialing@SummaHealth.org.

DME Provider

Thank you for your interest in becoming a SummaCare Network DME Provider. Homelink is SummaCare's DME Network Manager.  All providers are required to join the Homelink provider network in order to provide DME services to SummaCare members. .

Requests to join the SummaCare DME Network should be sent to Homelink. Please contact Shawn Joblinske, Director of Payer Relations at Homelink:

Upload Your Form

Once you've completed the Provider Services Request for Network Participation or the Ancillary Services Request for Network Participation Form, please fill out the fields below, click "Choose File" to attach your completed form and then click the "Submit" button. 

Provider FAQs

Do all medical services require prior authorization?

No. While many routine services do not require approval, certain procedures, inpatient admissions, and specialty services do require prior authorization. Providers can review the full authorization requirements and submission instructions in the Prior Authorization for Providers section.

How can providers check the status of a claim?

Claim status is available through the Plan Central provider portal at summacare.com/plancentral.
Providers without access can follow the registration steps on the login page or contact Provider Support Services for help.

How can a practice update demographic or tax information?

Practice updates such as address changes, phone numbers, or tax ID updates can be submitted by completing the Provider Information Change Form and emailing it to sccontracting@summacare.com.

How do providers verify member eligibility and benefits?

Eligibility and benefit details can be confirmed through the Plan Central provider portal at summacare.com/plancentral.

What is the process to become an in-network provider with SummaCare?

Providers interested in joining the SummaCare network must complete the online provider application available at summacare.com. Select the Providers section and choose “Become a Network Provider.”

How should claims be submitted to SummaCare?

Claims should be submitted electronically through your clearinghouse using the appropriate payer ID:

  • 95202 for fully funded plans
  • 34916 for self-funded plans
  • For assistance with electronic data interchange (EDI) setup, providers may contact edisupport@summacare.com.

How frequently is re-credentialing required?

Participating providers must complete re-credentialing every three years to remain in the network.

Where can providers find their Explanation of Payment (EOP)?

EOP statements are accessible through the Plan Central portal. After logging in, select “Inquiries” and then “EOP.” Providers can retrieve EOPs by entering the check number, date range, or the member’s first and last name.

What provider networks are available and how can participation be verified?

SummaCare networks include:

  • SC Medicare
  • SCPremier
  • New Health Connect Summa
  • New Health Connect Summa Home Health
  • New Health Connect Pioneer
  • Mercy Choice
  • Preferred Choice
  • SCSelect
  • SCConnect

To verify network participation, visit the Providers section and select “Find a Network Provider.” Choose the non-member provider search, ensure “all networks” is selected, and search by provider or facility name. Once results appear, open the profile and review the “Networks Accepted” section.

How can a provider dispute a claim and what is the deadline?

Claim disputes must be submitted through Plan Central. After logging in, locate the claim using the Claim Inquiry menu, open the claim, and select “Adjustment Request.” Providers must submit disputes within 60 days of the original claim determination and include all supporting documentation.

What is the deadline for submitting claims?

Claims must be filed within 365 days from the date of service.

Where is the Provider Manual located?

The most current Provider Manual is available on the SummaCare website under the Providers section by selecting “Provider Manual.”

Questions? We are here to help.

If you have submitted an application to SummaCare and have not heard back after 60 days, please contact the Contracting Department by calling 330.996.8738, or by email to SCContracting@summacare.com.

Provider Support Services

By Phone:

330.996.8400

or

800.996.8401

By Email:

providerengagement@summacare.com

Provider Engagement Specialists

If you have not met with your assigned Provider Engagement Specialist or would like to schedule an in-office training or meeting to address any questions regarding the authorization process, claims issues, appeals, SummaCare products/benefits or Plan Central training, please contact the assigned Provider Engagement Specialist for your office.

Plan Central

View patient eligibility, benefits, claims status, and self-funded prior authorization lists, as well as review clinical edits and clarifications.

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