Horizon Healthcare Credentialing Update: Admitting Privileges Exemptions for Certain Specialties

03/06/2025

Horizon Updates Credentialing Policy: Admitting Privileges No Longer Required for Certain Specialties

Important Policy Update for Healthcare Professionals

Horizon has announced an important update to its Credentialing and Recredentialing Policy for Participating Physicians and Healthcare Professionals. Under the revised policy, certain specialties will no longer be required to hold admitting privileges at an in-network hospital to maintain their participation in Horizon’s networks.

Specialties Exempt from Admitting Privilege Requirements

As of Febr. 7, 2025, the following specialties will no longer be required to obtain or maintain admitting privileges:

Adolescent Medicine
Allergists
Anesthesiologists
Dermatopathologists
Dermatologists
Emergency Medicine
Family Physicians
Genetics
Geriatric Medicine
Immunologists
General Internists practicing primary care
Occupational Medicine
Ophthalmologists
Pain Management
Pathologists
Pediatricians
Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Pediatric Pathology
Pediatric Radiology
Pediatric Rheumatologists
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Physiatrists
Podiatrists
Psychiatrists
Radiation Oncologists
Radiologists
Reproductive Endocrinologists
Rheumatologists
Sleep Medicine
Sports Medicine

The most recent additions to this exemption list, effective Febr. 7, 2025, include Adolescent Medicine, Genetics, Geriatric Medicine, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Pediatric Pathology, Pediatric Radiology, Pediatric Rheumatologists, Reproductive Endocrinologists, and Rheumatologists.

What Happens If Admitting Privileges Are Required?

For physicians whose specialties still require admitting privileges, there are important considerations in the event of a hospital termination. Providers in these categories must secure admitting privileges at a participating hospital before the termination date to avoid removal from Horizon’s networks.

Alternatively, physicians can opt to complete Horizon’s Continuity of Care Coverage Agreement, which allows them to continue providing care without new hospital admitting privileges.

Who Must Follow This Policy?

All physicians participating in Horizon Managed Care, Horizon PPO, and Horizon NJ Health Networks must adhere to these updated credentialing and recredentialing requirements.

Source: Horizon