Credentialing by state / West Virginia
Therapist Credentialing in West Virginia
Enrollments are billed 50% at the start and 50% at submission; everything else 100% at the start.
West Virginia belongs to all three behavioral health licensure compacts, which decides how easily LPCs, LCSWs, LMFTs and psychologists in Charleston, Huntington and Morgantown can treat clients across state lines. It does not change payer enrollment: West Virginia Medicaid, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia and Medicare each credential you on their own, whatever your license route.
| PSYPACT (psychologists) | Effective, since November 18, 2021 |
|---|---|
| Counseling Compact (LPC/LMHC) | Member, privileges not yet issued |
| Social Work Compact (LCSW) | Member, not yet operational |
| LMFTs | No interstate compact; license in each state |
| Medicare contractor | Palmetto GBA, jurisdiction JM |
| Medicaid | West Virginia Medicaid, 3 managed-care plans |
| Commercial decision deadline | 120 days (W. Va. Code § 33-45-2) |
Licensure Compacts in West Virginia
PSYPACT for psychologists
West Virginia's PSYPACT law took effect on November 18, 2021. A psychologist whose home state is West Virginia 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 West Virginia license, and both are separate from payer enrollment.
Across the border, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia also participate, so a border practice can reach every adjoining state under APIT once the E.Passport is issued.
Counseling Compact for LPCs
West Virginia 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 West Virginia line. The Commission says members must finish readiness steps, including data sharing and testing, before going live. Next door, Ohio is already live.
Social Work Licensure Compact for LCSWs
West Virginia is one of the 33 jurisdictions listed as members of the Social Work Licensure Compact. West Virginia enacted it on June 9, 2026 (SB 703), one of the 2026 additions. 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia LMFTs and Counselors
Since January 1, 2024, Medicare pays marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors directly, and a West Virginia 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 West Virginia by Palmetto GBA; payment is 75% of the clinical psychologist amount. LCSWs and psychologists were already eligible, so for West Virginia practices this is the first time every licensed therapist on staff can be a Medicare provider.
West Virginia Medicaid and Its Plans
West Virginia Medicaid enrollment is filed with the West Virginia Bureau for Medical Services through the West Virginia Medicaid provider 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:
- Aetna Better Health of WV: 164,545 members, owned by CVS Health
- Unicare of Health Plan of WestVirginia: 145,177 members, owned by Elevance Health
- The Health Plan of WV: 97,594 members
West Virginia Rules for Commercial Plans
West Virginia law gives commercial plans 120 days to decide, counted from the completed application (four months, extendable 3 months for verification delays) (W. Va. Code § 33-45-2). Services furnished during the credentialing period must be paid; the insurer may recover them if the provider is not credentialed. (W. Va. Code § 33-45-2)
Neighboring States
- Kentucky: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact enacted; Social Work Compact enacted
- Maryland: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact enacted; Social Work Compact enacted
- Ohio: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact live; Social Work Compact enacted
- Pennsylvania: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact enacted; Social Work Compact no
- 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 West Virginia.
Questions West Virginia Therapists Ask
Can a West Virginia LPC see clients in another state by telehealth?
Not through the compact yet. West Virginia 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 West Virginia a PSYPACT state?
Yes. West Virginia's PSYPACT law took effect on November 18, 2021. West Virginia 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 West Virginia therapist join West Virginia Medicaid?
Enroll with the West Virginia Bureau for Medical Services through the West Virginia Medicaid provider portal (Gainwell). West Virginia Medicaid enrolls 407,316 people across 3 managed-care plans (2024), and each plan you want, such as Aetna Better Health of WV, Unicare of Health Plan of WestVirginia, The Health Plan of WV, credentials you separately once the state enrollment is active.
Can West Virginia LMFTs and counselors bill Medicare?
Yes, since January 1, 2024. Marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors licensed in West Virginia enroll on the CMS-855I through PECOS, reviewed by Palmetto GBA, 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; West Virginia statute. Compact status as of October 8, 2026; confirm with the West Virginia licensing board before relying on it.