Credentialing by state / Michigan
Therapist Credentialing in Michigan
Enrollments are billed 50% at the start and 50% at submission; everything else 100% at the start.
Michigan belongs to PSYPACT, which decides how easily LPCs, LCSWs, LMFTs and psychologists in Detroit, Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor can treat clients across state lines. It does not change payer enrollment: Michigan Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Medicare each credential you on their own, whatever your license route.
| PSYPACT (psychologists) | Effective, since March 29, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Counseling Compact (LPC/LMHC) | Not a member |
| Social Work Compact (LCSW) | Not a member |
| LMFTs | No interstate compact; license in each state |
| Medicare contractor | WPS Government Health Administrators, jurisdiction J8 |
| Medicaid | Michigan Medicaid, 9 managed-care plans |
| Commercial decision deadline | None found in state law |
Licensure Compacts in Michigan
PSYPACT for psychologists
Michigan's PSYPACT law took effect on March 29, 2023. A psychologist whose home state is Michigan 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 Michigan license, and both are separate from payer enrollment.
Across the border, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin also participate, so a border practice can reach every adjoining state under APIT once the E.Passport is issued.
Counseling Compact for LPCs
Michigan has not joined the Counseling Compact, while Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin on its border have. An LPC licensed elsewhere who wants to see clients located in Michigan, in person or by telehealth, needs a Michigan license, and Michigan counselors cannot get privileges in the 40 member jurisdictions.
Social Work Licensure Compact for LCSWs
Michigan is not a member of the Social Work Licensure Compact. Even in the 33 member jurisdictions, multistate licenses are not yet available, so for Michigan 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 Michigan 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 Michigan LMFTs and Counselors
Since January 1, 2024, Medicare pays marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors directly, and a Michigan 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 Michigan by WPS Government Health Administrators; payment is 75% of the clinical psychologist amount. LCSWs and psychologists were already eligible, so for Michigan practices this is the first time every licensed therapist on staff can be a Medicare provider.
Michigan Medicaid and Its Plans
Michigan Medicaid enrollment is filed with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services through CHAMPS, the Community Health Automated Medicaid Processing System. 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:
- Meridian Health Plan of Michigan: 512,473 members, owned by Centene
- Molina Healthcare of Michigan: 407,229 members, owned by Molina
- Blue Cross Complete of Michigan: 389,926 members, owned by Independence Health Group
See all 9 plans; confirm with each one whether it credentials behavioral health directly or through a vendor.
Neighboring States
- Indiana: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact live; Social Work Compact no
- Ohio: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact live; Social Work Compact enacted
- Wisconsin: 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 Michigan.
Questions Michigan Therapists Ask
Can a Michigan LPC see clients in another state by telehealth?
Only with a license from the state where the client is located. Michigan is not in the Counseling Compact, so there is no privilege-to-practice route from here.
Is Michigan a PSYPACT state?
Yes. Michigan's PSYPACT law took effect on March 29, 2023. Michigan 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 Michigan therapist join Michigan Medicaid?
Enroll with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services through CHAMPS, the Community Health Automated Medicaid Processing System. Michigan Medicaid enrolls 2,362,189 people across 9 managed-care plans (2024), and each plan you want, such as Meridian Health Plan of Michigan, Molina Healthcare of Michigan, Blue Cross Complete of Michigan, credentials you separately once the state enrollment is active.
Can Michigan LMFTs and counselors bill Medicare?
Yes, since January 1, 2024. Marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors licensed in Michigan enroll on the CMS-855I through PECOS, reviewed by WPS Government Health Administrators, 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 Michigan licensing board before relying on it.