Credentialing by state / Delaware
Therapist Credentialing in Delaware
Enrollments are billed 50% at the start and 50% at submission; everything else 100% at the start.
Delaware belongs to all three behavioral health licensure compacts, which decides how easily LPCs, LCSWs, LMFTs and psychologists in Wilmington, Dover and Newark can treat clients across state lines. It does not change payer enrollment: Delaware Medicaid, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware and Medicare each credential you on their own, whatever your license route.
| PSYPACT (psychologists) | Effective, since July 1, 2020 |
|---|---|
| Counseling Compact (LPC/LMHC) | Member, privileges not yet issued |
| Social Work Compact (LCSW) | Member, not yet operational |
| LMFTs | No interstate compact; license in each state |
| Medicare contractor | Novitas Solutions, jurisdiction JL |
| Medicaid | Delaware Medicaid, 3 managed-care plans |
| Commercial decision deadline | 45 days (18 Del. C. §§ 3305B, 3307B (signed September 2026)) |
Licensure Compacts in Delaware
PSYPACT for psychologists
Delaware's PSYPACT law took effect on July 1, 2020. A psychologist whose home state is Delaware can apply through ASPPB for the E.Passport, which supports the Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT), and for the IPC, which supports temporary in-person practice (TAP) in other PSYPACT states. Both depend on holding an unrestricted Delaware license, and both are separate from payer enrollment.
Across the border, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania also participate, so a border practice can reach every adjoining state under APIT once the E.Passport is issued.
Counseling Compact for LPCs
Delaware has passed the Counseling Compact, but as of October 2026 it is not one of the 10 states issuing privileges, so membership does not yet let a counselor practice across the Delaware line. The Commission says members must finish readiness steps, including data sharing and testing, before going live. Its neighbors Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania are in the same position: enacted, not yet live.
Social Work Licensure Compact for LCSWs
Delaware is one of the 33 jurisdictions listed as members of the Social Work Licensure Compact. The compact will offer a multistate license rather than a per-state privilege, but the Commission's July 2026 update says multistate licenses are not yet available and puts completion of the data system at spring 2027, so Delaware LCSWs still need each state's license today.
Compacts Grant a License Route, Not a Network Seat
A compact privilege is permission to practice; it is not enrollment. A Delaware therapist who adds clients in another state through a compact still needs that state's Medicaid enrollment, a practice location the plans accept there, and a separate application to each commercial plan or behavioral health network in that state. CAQH (DataSpring) carries the extra license or privilege, but every payer decides on its own timeline.
Medicare for Delaware LMFTs and Counselors
Since January 1, 2024, Medicare pays marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors directly, and a Delaware LPC qualifies as a mental health counselor when the license and degree meet the federal definition. Enrollment is the CMS-855I in PECOS, reviewed for Delaware by Novitas Solutions; payment is 75% of the clinical psychologist amount. LCSWs and psychologists were already eligible, so for Delaware practices this is the first time every licensed therapist on staff can be a Medicare provider.
Delaware Medicaid and Its Plans
Delaware Medicaid enrollment is filed with the Delaware Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance through the Delaware Medical Assistance Portal (Gainwell). Most members are in managed care, and each plan credentials therapists as its own application once the state enrollment is active. The largest by 2024 enrollment:
- Highmark Health Options of Delaware: 119,253 members, owned by Highmark
- AmeriHealth Caritas of Delaware: 70,089 members, owned by Independence Health Group
- Delaware First Health: 29,825 members, owned by Centene
Delaware Rules for Commercial Plans
Delaware law gives commercial plans 45 days to decide, counted from receipt of an application, starting January 1, 2028: 15 days to confirm it is clean, then 30 days to decide (18 Del. C. §§ 3305B, 3307B (signed September 2026)). Carriers must use CAQH as the only credentialing application from 2028. (18 Del. C. § 3303B) Claims are paid back to the date a complete application was submitted once credentials are granted. (18 Del. C. § 3308B)
Neighboring States
- Maryland: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact enacted; Social Work Compact enacted
- New Jersey: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact enacted; Social Work Compact enacted
- Pennsylvania: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact enacted; Social Work Compact no
The full checklist, the carve-out networks and timelines are in our therapist credentialing guide; Medicare, Medicaid and commercial basics for every clinician type are on credentialing in Delaware.
Questions Delaware Therapists Ask
Can a Delaware LPC see clients in another state by telehealth?
Not through the compact yet. Delaware has passed the Counseling Compact but is not issuing privileges as of October 2026, so a license in the client's state is still required. Either way, each payer in that state needs its own enrollment.
Is Delaware a PSYPACT state?
Yes. Delaware's PSYPACT law took effect on July 1, 2020. Delaware psychologists can practice telepsychology into other participating states under APIT once ASPPB issues the E.Passport, but each payer still credentials them per state.
How does a Delaware therapist join Delaware Medicaid?
Enroll with the Delaware Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance through the Delaware Medical Assistance Portal (Gainwell). Delaware Medicaid enrolls 219,167 people across 3 managed-care plans (2024), and each plan you want, such as Highmark Health Options of Delaware, AmeriHealth Caritas of Delaware, Delaware First Health, credentials you separately once the state enrollment is active.
Can Delaware LMFTs and counselors bill Medicare?
Yes, since January 1, 2024. Marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors licensed in Delaware enroll on the CMS-855I through PECOS, reviewed by Novitas Solutions, and Medicare pays them 75% of the clinical psychologist amount. They need 2 years or 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised clinical experience.
Answers cover PECS services, prices and process. For legal, tax or clinical questions please consult a professional.
Sources: PSYPACT Commission, participating states map and legislation table; Counseling Compact Commission, member states and news and go-live announcements; Social Work Licensure Compact Commission, member jurisdictions and news and status updates; CMS, Marriage and Family Therapists and Mental Health Counselors; KFF, Medicaid MCO Enrollment by Plan and Parent Firm, 2024; Delaware statute. Compact status as of October 8, 2026; confirm with the Delaware licensing board before relying on it.