Getting on insurance panels is slow, paperwork-heavy and easy to get wrong. We compared 9 credentialing services for therapists and picked the 5 best, with what each one charges per insurer, plus how to do it yourself.
How we chose: we compared 9 credentialing services on what each company publishes on its own website, checked November 1, 2026: pricing, who it is built for, and what is included. We ranked them on those facts for a therapy practice. We have not used every one, so we do not claim to have tested them. No company paid to be listed or for its place, and any partner link is marked as one.
Our top picks at a glance
- Best value: GetPaneled. $79 per insurer, or bundles at $219, $349 and $499 (multi-state).
- Best for ongoing upkeep: TheraProfessional. Typically $275 to $450, depending on your insurers. Upkeep from $99 a month.
- Best for credentialing plus billing: AdvanceAPractice. $500 setup plus $350 per insurer. Medicaid or Medicare enrollment $450 per provider.
- Best behavioral health specialist: SOSA Practice Partners. Not published.
- Best all-in-one for solo therapists: Therapist Square. Not published.
| # | Company | Award | Published pricing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GetPaneled | Best value | $79 per insurer, or bundles at $219, $349 and $499 (multi-state) | Solo therapists getting on panels for the first time |
| 2 | TheraProfessional | Best for ongoing upkeep | Typically $275 to $450, depending on your insurers. Upkeep from $99 a month | Solo and group practices |
| 3 | AdvanceAPractice | Best for credentialing plus billing | $500 setup plus $350 per insurer. Medicaid or Medicare enrollment $450 per provider | Practices that also want billing |
| 4 | SOSA Practice Partners | Best behavioral health specialist | Not published | Solo and group practices |
| 5 | Therapist Square | Best all-in-one for solo therapists | Not published | Solo therapists |
The 5 best credentialing services for therapists, reviewed
1. GetPaneled: Best value
The lowest published price we found, and a refund if you are not paneled within six months.
- Pricing: $79 per insurer, or bundles at $219, $349 and $499 (multi-state)
- Built for: Therapists only
- Best for: Solo therapists getting on panels for the first time
Pros
- Lowest published price: $79 per insurer
- Refund if not paneled within 6 months
- Built for therapists only
- Bundles for 3, 5 or multiple states
Cons
- Extra state applications cost $39 each
- Credentialing only
2. TheraProfessional: Best for ongoing upkeep
Gets you on panels and keeps your profiles current afterwards, with a page for New York.
- Pricing: Typically $275 to $450, depending on your insurers. Upkeep from $99 a month
- Built for: Therapists, psychologists and psychiatric nurse practitioners
- Best for: Solo and group practices
Pros
- Upkeep retainers from $99 a month
- New York credentialing page
- Mental health clinicians only
Cons
- $275 to $450 per insurer, above GetPaneled
3. AdvanceAPractice: Best for credentialing plus billing
Published prices for credentialing and for billing, from one company.
- Pricing: $500 setup plus $350 per insurer. Medicaid or Medicare enrollment $450 per provider
- Built for: Mental health first, also medical
- Best for: Practices that also want billing
Pros
- Published prices
- Billing from the same company
- Medicaid and Medicare enrollment priced up front
Cons
- $500 setup fee on top of $350 per insurer
4. SOSA Practice Partners: Best behavioral health specialist
Credentialing from a behavioral health specialist that also bills.
- Pricing: Not published
- Built for: Behavioral health only
- Best for: Solo and group practices
Pros
- Behavioral health only
- Credentialing and billing together
Cons
- Prices not published
5. Therapist Square: Best all-in-one for solo therapists
Credentialing, CAQH upkeep and billing in one, for psychotherapists only.
- Pricing: Not published
- Built for: Licensed psychotherapists only
- Best for: Solo therapists
Pros
- Psychotherapists only
- Credentialing, CAQH upkeep and billing
Cons
- Prices not published
- Based in California
Other credentialing services we compared
- PsyWell Management Group (Behavioral health). New York City office, billing and credentialing. Pricing: Not published. Visit PsyWell Management Group
- HPC Billing (Mental health group practices). Enrolls new clinicians with insurers as a group grows. Pricing: Not published. Visit HPC Billing
- PayerReady (General, more than 250 specialties). Part service, part software. Not a mental health specialist. Pricing: $149 per insurer application, down to $119 at volume. Managed plan from $499 a month plus $129 per provider. Visit PayerReady
- Medwave (General medical, therapy groups since 2000). A generalist with long therapy-group experience. Pricing: Per provider, per insurer. Amounts not published. Visit Medwave
How much does credentialing cost?
Among the companies that publish prices, from $79 to about $450 per insurer, with bundles and monthly upkeep plans. Some add a setup fee. Getting on five insurers costs about $349 with GetPaneled's bundle, $1,375 to $2,250 with TheraProfessional's typical range, or $2,250 with AdvanceAPractice ($500 setup plus five at $350).
How to get credentialed yourself
- Get an individual NPI, and a group NPI if you bill as a practice.
- Build your CAQH ProView profile (free for providers) and keep it attested. Most commercial insurers read it.
- Gather your license, malpractice certificate, résumé with no unexplained gaps, and degrees.
- Apply to each insurer. Ask first whether the panel is open in your area.
- Follow up every two weeks and keep a log of every call and reference number.
- Read the contract and fee schedule before you sign. Rates can sometimes be negotiated.
Our verdict
GetPaneled is the best value for a solo therapist getting on panels for the first time: $79 per insurer and a refund if you are not paneled within six months. If you want someone to keep your profiles current afterwards, TheraProfessional's upkeep plans are the pick. Once you are in network, see the best mental health billing services.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between credentialing and paneling?
Credentialing is the insurer checking your license, education, malpractice coverage and work history. Paneling, or contracting, is the step after it that adds you to the in-network list at an agreed rate.
How long does it take to get on an insurance panel?
Commonly two to six months per insurer, sometimes longer. Some panels are closed to new clinicians in areas the insurer considers full, so apply to several at once.
What is the cheapest credentialing service?
GetPaneled publishes the lowest price we found, $79 per insurer, with bundles from $219.
How do I enroll with New York Medicaid?
Through the New York State Medicaid program, which pays claims through its eMedNY system. Each clinician enrolls, and so does the practice. Many Medicaid managed care plans then credential you separately.
Billing some sessions yourself? Our free CPT code picker gives the code, units and telehealth modifier for a session, and the superbill generator makes a printable superbill for out-of-network clients. More free tools are on our therapist resources page.
Rather just see clients? Crown Counseling is hiring in New York.
