Credentialing by state / Louisiana
Therapist Credentialing in Louisiana
Enrollments are billed 50% at the start and 50% at submission; everything else 100% at the start.
Louisiana belongs to the Counseling Compact and the Social Work Licensure Compact, which decides how easily LPCs, LCSWs, LMFTs and psychologists in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport can treat clients across state lines. It does not change payer enrollment: Louisiana Medicaid (Healthy Louisiana), Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana and Medicare each credential you on their own, whatever your license route.
| PSYPACT (psychologists) | Enacted, not yet in effect, from January 1, 2028 |
|---|---|
| Counseling Compact (LPC/LMHC) | Member, issuing privileges since April 20, 2026 |
| Social Work Compact (LCSW) | Member, not yet operational |
| LMFTs | No interstate compact; license in each state |
| Medicare contractor | Novitas Solutions, jurisdiction JH |
| Medicaid | Louisiana Medicaid (Healthy Louisiana), 6 managed-care plans |
| Commercial decision deadline | 90 days (La. R.S. 22:1009) |
Licensure Compacts in Louisiana
PSYPACT for psychologists
Louisiana has enacted PSYPACT, but the law does not take effect until January 1, 2028. Until then a psychologist licensed elsewhere needs a full Louisiana license to treat clients located in the state, and Louisiana psychologists cannot yet use APIT or TAP to reach the other 43 jurisdictions.
Counseling Compact for LPCs
Louisiana is one of the 40 jurisdictions that have passed the Counseling Compact, and it is live: the Commission began issuing privileges for Louisiana on April 20, 2026, making it the fourth state to go live. A counselor whose home state is Louisiana can apply through CompactConnect for a privilege to practice in another live state; as of October 2026 those are Arizona, Minnesota, Ohio, Georgia, Indiana, Arkansas, Wyoming, Tennessee and Oklahoma. Arkansas, on Louisiana's border, is among them.
Social Work Licensure Compact for LCSWs
Louisiana 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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana LMFTs and Counselors
Since January 1, 2024, Medicare pays marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors directly, and a Louisiana 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 Louisiana by Novitas Solutions; payment is 75% of the clinical psychologist amount. LCSWs and psychologists were already eligible, so for Louisiana practices this is the first time every licensed therapist on staff can be a Medicare provider.
Louisiana Medicaid (Healthy Louisiana) and Its Plans
Louisiana Medicaid (Healthy Louisiana) enrollment is filed with the Louisiana Department of Health through the Louisiana Medicaid Provider Enrollment 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:
- Louisiana Healthcare Connections: 400,299 members, owned by Centene
- UnitedHealthcare Community Plan: 343,798 members, owned by UnitedHealth Group
- Healthy Blue: 253,620 members, owned by Elevance Health
See all 6 plans; confirm with each one whether it credentials behavioral health directly or through a vendor.
Louisiana Rules for Commercial Plans
Louisiana law gives commercial plans 90 days to decide, counted from receipt of all information needed, including a correctly completed application and verifications (La. R.S. 22:1009). The Louisiana Standardized Credentialing Application Form or CAQH, at the plan's choice. (La. R.S. 22:1009)
Neighboring States
- Arkansas: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact live; Social Work Compact enacted
- Mississippi: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact enacted; Social Work Compact enacted
- Texas: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact no; 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 Louisiana.
Questions Louisiana Therapists Ask
Can a Louisiana LPC see clients in another state by telehealth?
Yes, if Louisiana is your home state: Louisiana has been issuing Counseling Compact privileges since April 20, 2026, and privileges can be requested for the other live states (AZ, MN, OH, GA, IN, AR, WY, TN and OK). For any other state you need that state's license.
Is Louisiana a PSYPACT state?
Not yet. Louisiana enacted PSYPACT, effective January 1, 2028. Until then psychologists need a Louisiana license to treat clients located in the state.
How does a Louisiana therapist join Louisiana Medicaid (Healthy Louisiana)?
Enroll with the Louisiana Department of Health through the Louisiana Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal (Gainwell). Louisiana Medicaid (Healthy Louisiana) enrolls 1,403,109 people across 6 managed-care plans (2024), and each plan you want, such as Louisiana Healthcare Connections, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, Healthy Blue, credentials you separately once the state enrollment is active.
Can Louisiana LMFTs and counselors bill Medicare?
Yes, since January 1, 2024. Marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors licensed in Louisiana 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; Louisiana statute. Compact status as of October 8, 2026; confirm with the Louisiana licensing board before relying on it.