Credentialing by state / Hawaii
Therapist Credentialing in Hawaii
Enrollments are billed 50% at the start and 50% at submission; everything else 100% at the start.
Hawaii belongs to none of the three behavioral health licensure compacts, which decides how easily LPCs, LCSWs, LMFTs and psychologists in Honolulu, Hilo and Kahului can treat clients across state lines. It does not change payer enrollment: Med-QUEST, HMSA (Hawaii Medical Service Association) and Medicare each credential you on their own, whatever your license route.
| PSYPACT (psychologists) | Not a member |
|---|---|
| Counseling Compact (LPC/LMHC) | Not a member |
| Social Work Compact (LCSW) | Not a member |
| LMFTs | No interstate compact; license in each state |
| Medicare contractor | Noridian Healthcare Solutions, jurisdiction JE |
| Medicaid | Med-QUEST, 5 managed-care plans |
| Commercial decision deadline | None found in state law |
Licensure Compacts in Hawaii
PSYPACT for psychologists
Hawaii has not enacted PSYPACT. Out-of-state psychologists, including telepsychologists, need a Hawaii license to treat clients located in Hawaii, and psychologists licensed here have no compact route into the 43 participating jurisdictions.
Counseling Compact for LPCs
Hawaii has not joined the Counseling Compact. An LPC licensed elsewhere who wants to see clients located in Hawaii, in person or by telehealth, needs a Hawaii license, and Hawaii counselors cannot get privileges in the 40 member jurisdictions.
Social Work Licensure Compact for LCSWs
Hawaii is not a member of the Social Work Licensure Compact. Even in the 33 member jurisdictions, multistate licenses are not yet available, so for Hawaii LCSWs the practical rule is unchanged: a license in each state where clients are located.
Compacts Grant a License Route, Not a Network Seat
A compact privilege is permission to practice; it is not enrollment. A Hawaii 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 Hawaii LMFTs and Counselors
Since January 1, 2024, Medicare pays marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors directly, and a Hawaii 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 Hawaii by Noridian Healthcare Solutions; payment is 75% of the clinical psychologist amount. LCSWs and psychologists were already eligible, so for Hawaii practices this is the first time every licensed therapist on staff can be a Medicare provider.
Med-QUEST and Its Plans
Med-QUEST enrollment is filed with the Hawaii Department of Human Services through the HOKU provider portal. 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:
- Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA): 214,870 members
- AlohaCare: 75,936 members
- UnitedHealthcare Community Plan: 54,646 members, owned by UnitedHealth Group
See all 5 plans; confirm with each one whether it credentials behavioral health directly or through a vendor.
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 Hawaii.
Questions Hawaii Therapists Ask
Can a Hawaii LPC see clients in another state by telehealth?
Only with a license from the state where the client is located. Hawaii is not in the Counseling Compact, so there is no privilege-to-practice route from here.
Is Hawaii a PSYPACT state?
No. Hawaii has not enacted PSYPACT, so telepsychology with clients located in Hawaii requires a Hawaii license.
How does a Hawaii therapist join Med-QUEST?
Enroll with the Hawaii Department of Human Services through the HOKU provider portal. Med-QUEST enrolls 432,125 people across 5 managed-care plans (2024), and each plan you want, such as Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA), AlohaCare, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, credentials you separately once the state enrollment is active.
Can Hawaii LMFTs and counselors bill Medicare?
Yes, since January 1, 2024. Marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors licensed in Hawaii enroll on the CMS-855I through PECOS, reviewed by Noridian Healthcare 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. Compact status as of October 8, 2026; confirm with the Hawaii licensing board before relying on it.