Credentialing by state / Massachusetts
Therapist Credentialing in Massachusetts
Enrollments are billed 50% at the start and 50% at submission; everything else 100% at the start.
Massachusetts belongs to none of the three behavioral health licensure compacts, which decides how easily LPCs, LCSWs, LMFTs and psychologists in Boston, Worcester, Springfield and Cambridge can treat clients across state lines. It does not change payer enrollment: MassHealth, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts 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 | National Government Services, jurisdiction JK |
| Medicaid | MassHealth, 9 managed-care plans |
| Commercial decision deadline | 60 days (211 CMR 52.09) |
Licensure Compacts in Massachusetts
PSYPACT for psychologists
Massachusetts has not enacted PSYPACT, although Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont have. Out-of-state psychologists, including telepsychologists, need a Massachusetts license to treat clients located in Massachusetts, and psychologists licensed here have no compact route into the 43 participating jurisdictions.
Counseling Compact for LPCs
Massachusetts has not joined the Counseling Compact, while Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont on its border have. An LPC or LMHC licensed elsewhere who wants to see clients located in Massachusetts, in person or by telehealth, needs a Massachusetts license, and Massachusetts counselors cannot get privileges in the 40 member jurisdictions.
Social Work Licensure Compact for LCSWs
Massachusetts is not a member of the Social Work Licensure Compact. Even in the 33 member jurisdictions, multistate licenses are not yet available, so for Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts LMFTs and Counselors
Since January 1, 2024, Medicare pays marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors directly, and a Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts by National Government Services; payment is 75% of the clinical psychologist amount. LCSWs and psychologists were already eligible, so for Massachusetts practices this is the first time every licensed therapist on staff can be a Medicare provider.
MassHealth and Its Plans
MassHealth enrollment is filed with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services through the MassHealth Provider Online Service Center (POSC). 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:
- WellSense Health Plan: 461,000 members, owned by Boston Medical Center Health Plan
- Mass General Brigham Health Plan: 132,115 members
- Tufts Health Together: 118,899 members, owned by Point32Health
See all 9 plans; confirm with each one whether it credentials behavioral health directly or through a vendor.
Massachusetts Rules for Commercial Plans
Massachusetts law gives commercial plans 60 days to decide, counted from a clean and complete initial application (95% of applications must meet it), with a status notice by day 75 (211 CMR 52.09). An application format specified by the Commissioner. (211 CMR 52.09)
Neighboring States
- Connecticut: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact enacted; Social Work Compact enacted
- New Hampshire: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact enacted; Social Work Compact enacted
- New York: PSYPACT no; Counseling Compact no; Social Work Compact no
- Rhode Island: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact enacted; Social Work Compact enacted
- Vermont: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact enacted; Social Work Compact enacted
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 Massachusetts.
Questions Massachusetts Therapists Ask
Can a Massachusetts LPC see clients in another state by telehealth?
Only with a license from the state where the client is located. Massachusetts is not in the Counseling Compact, so there is no privilege-to-practice route from here.
Is Massachusetts a PSYPACT state?
No. Massachusetts has not enacted PSYPACT, so telepsychology with clients located in Massachusetts requires a Massachusetts license.
How does a Massachusetts therapist join MassHealth?
Enroll with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services through the MassHealth Provider Online Service Center (POSC). MassHealth enrolls 903,795 people across 9 managed-care plans (2024), and each plan you want, such as WellSense Health Plan, Mass General Brigham Health Plan, Tufts Health Together, credentials you separately once the state enrollment is active.
Can Massachusetts LMFTs and counselors bill Medicare?
Yes, since January 1, 2024. Marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors licensed in Massachusetts enroll on the CMS-855I through PECOS, reviewed by National Government Services, 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; Massachusetts statute. Compact status as of October 8, 2026; confirm with the Massachusetts licensing board before relying on it.