Credentialing by state / Pennsylvania
Therapist Credentialing in Pennsylvania
Enrollments are billed 50% at the start and 50% at submission; everything else 100% at the start.
Pennsylvania belongs to PSYPACT and the Counseling Compact, which decides how easily LPCs, LCSWs, LMFTs and psychologists in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown and Harrisburg can treat clients across state lines. It does not change payer enrollment: Pennsylvania Medical Assistance, Independence Blue Cross, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and Capital Blue Cross and Medicare each credential you on their own, whatever your license route.
| PSYPACT (psychologists) | Effective, since July 8, 2020 |
|---|---|
| Counseling Compact (LPC/LMHC) | Member, privileges not yet issued |
| Social Work Compact (LCSW) | Not a member |
| LMFTs | No interstate compact; license in each state |
| Medicare contractor | Novitas Solutions, jurisdiction JL |
| Medicaid | Pennsylvania Medical Assistance, 7 managed-care plans |
| Commercial decision deadline | None found in state law |
Licensure Compacts in Pennsylvania
PSYPACT for psychologists
Pennsylvania's PSYPACT law took effect on July 8, 2020. A psychologist whose home state is Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania license, and both are separate from payer enrollment.
Across the border, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio and West Virginia also participate; New York does not, so telepsychology with clients located there still needs that state's own license.
Counseling Compact for LPCs
Pennsylvania has passed the Counseling Compact, but as of October 2026 it is not one of the 10 states issuing privileges, so membership does not yet let a counselor practice across the Pennsylvania line. The Commission says members must finish readiness steps, including data sharing and testing, before going live. Pennsylvania joined as the 40th member when Governor Shapiro signed the enacting law in July 2026, with a 60-day effective date. Next door, Ohio is already live.
Social Work Licensure Compact for LCSWs
Pennsylvania is not a member of the Social Work Licensure Compact. Even in the 33 member jurisdictions, multistate licenses are not yet available, so for Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania LMFTs and Counselors
Since January 1, 2024, Medicare pays marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors directly, and a Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania by Novitas Solutions; payment is 75% of the clinical psychologist amount. LCSWs and psychologists were already eligible, so for Pennsylvania practices this is the first time every licensed therapist on staff can be a Medicare provider.
Pennsylvania Medical Assistance and Its Plans
Pennsylvania Medical Assistance enrollment is filed with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services through PROMISe. 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:
- Vista Health Plan (AmeriHealth Caritas Pennsylvania and Keystone First): 990,564 members, owned by Independence Health Group
- UPMC Health Plan: 713,760 members
- Geisinger Health Plan: 428,376 members
See all 7 plans; confirm with each one whether it credentials behavioral health directly or through a vendor.
Neighboring States
- Delaware: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact enacted; Social Work Compact enacted
- Maryland: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact enacted; Social Work Compact enacted
- New Jersey: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact enacted; Social Work Compact enacted
- New York: PSYPACT no; Counseling Compact no; Social Work Compact no
- Ohio: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact live; Social Work Compact enacted
- West Virginia: 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 Pennsylvania.
Questions Pennsylvania Therapists Ask
Can a Pennsylvania LPC see clients in another state by telehealth?
Not through the compact yet. Pennsylvania has passed the Counseling Compact but is not issuing privileges as of October 2026, so a license in the client's state is still required. Either way, each payer in that state needs its own enrollment.
Is Pennsylvania a PSYPACT state?
Yes. Pennsylvania's PSYPACT law took effect on July 8, 2020. Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania therapist join Pennsylvania Medical Assistance?
Enroll with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services through PROMISe. Pennsylvania Medical Assistance enrolls 2,738,844 people across 7 managed-care plans (2024), and each plan you want, such as Vista Health Plan (AmeriHealth Caritas Pennsylvania and Keystone First), UPMC Health Plan, Geisinger Health Plan, credentials you separately once the state enrollment is active.
Can Pennsylvania LMFTs and counselors bill Medicare?
Yes, since January 1, 2024. Marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors licensed in Pennsylvania 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; Pennsylvania statute. Compact status as of October 8, 2026; confirm with the Pennsylvania licensing board before relying on it.