Credentialing by state / New York
Therapist Credentialing in New York
Enrollments are billed 50% at the start and 50% at submission; everything else 100% at the start.
New York belongs to none of the three behavioral health licensure compacts, which decides how easily LPCs, LCSWs, LMFTs and psychologists in New York City, Buffalo, Rochester and Albany can treat clients across state lines. It does not change payer enrollment: New York Medicaid, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (formerly Empire), Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York 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 | New York Medicaid, 21 managed-care plans |
| Commercial decision deadline | 60 days (N.Y. Ins. Law § 4803(a); N.Y. Pub. Health Law § 4406-d) |
Licensure Compacts in New York
PSYPACT for psychologists
New York has not enacted PSYPACT, although Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Vermont have. Out-of-state psychologists, including telepsychologists, need a New York license to treat clients located in New York, and psychologists licensed here have no compact route into the 43 participating jurisdictions.
Counseling Compact for LPCs
New York has not joined the Counseling Compact, while Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Vermont on its border have. An LPC or LMHC licensed elsewhere who wants to see clients located in New York, in person or by telehealth, needs a New York license, and New York counselors cannot get privileges in the 40 member jurisdictions.
Social Work Licensure Compact for LCSWs
New York is not a member of the Social Work Licensure Compact. Even in the 33 member jurisdictions, multistate licenses are not yet available, so for New York 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 New York 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 New York LMFTs and Counselors
Since January 1, 2024, Medicare pays marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors directly, and a New York 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 New York by National Government Services; payment is 75% of the clinical psychologist amount. LCSWs and psychologists were already eligible, so for New York practices this is the first time every licensed therapist on staff can be a Medicare provider.
New York Medicaid and Its Plans
New York Medicaid enrollment is filed with the New York State Department of Health through eMedNY. 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:
- Fidelis Care: 1,532,160 members, owned by Centene
- Healthfirst Health Plan: 1,165,758 members
- MetroPlus Health Plan: 424,733 members
See all 21 plans; confirm with each one whether it credentials behavioral health directly or through a vendor.
New York Rules for Commercial Plans
New York law gives commercial plans 60 days to decide, counted from a completed application (N.Y. Ins. Law § 4803(a); N.Y. Pub. Health Law § 4406-d). A newly licensed or newly relocated professional joining a group whose members all participate is provisionally credentialed from day 61 if no decision is made. (N.Y. Ins. Law § 4803(a)(2))
Neighboring States
- Connecticut: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact enacted; Social Work Compact enacted
- Massachusetts: PSYPACT no; Counseling Compact no; Social Work Compact no
- New Jersey: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact enacted; Social Work Compact enacted
- Pennsylvania: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact enacted; Social Work Compact no
- 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 New York.
Questions New York Therapists Ask
Can a New York LPC see clients in another state by telehealth?
Only with a license from the state where the client is located. New York is not in the Counseling Compact, so there is no privilege-to-practice route from here.
Is New York a PSYPACT state?
No. New York has not enacted PSYPACT, so telepsychology with clients located in New York requires a New York license.
How does a New York therapist join New York Medicaid?
Enroll with the New York State Department of Health through eMedNY. New York Medicaid enrolls 4,751,430 people across 21 managed-care plans (2024), and each plan you want, such as Fidelis Care, Healthfirst Health Plan, MetroPlus Health Plan, credentials you separately once the state enrollment is active.
Can New York LMFTs and counselors bill Medicare?
Yes, since January 1, 2024. Marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors licensed in New York 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; New York statute. Compact status as of October 8, 2026; confirm with the New York licensing board before relying on it.