MedicaidAdministrativeMedium impact
Licensed Independent Behavioral Health Clinicians Bulletin 1: Updated guidance related to 130 CMR 462.000: Licensed Independent Behavioral Health Clinician Services
MassHealth·MA · Psychiatry·Specialty Services
Effective date
Oct 1, 2025
We identified it
Jun 18, 2026
Summary
MassHealth has removed the requirement for Licensed Independent Behavioral Health Clinicians (LIBHCs) to be Medicare providers as a condition of enrollment. LIBHCs can now participate in MassHealth without Medicare enrollment, though they must still meet all other eligibility requirements and be enrolled with Medicare if serving Medicare patients.
Action Required
Immediately: Behavioral health practices should review LIBHC provider enrollment requirements and notify eligible clinicians that Medicare enrollment is no longer required for MassHealth participation. Update credentialing checklists to reflect this change. LIBHCs serving Medicare patients must still maintain Medicare enrollment and follow third-party billing requirements per 130 CMR 450.316.