Find a Medicaid Psychiatrist

How Medicaid Mental-Health Coverage Works

1. Therapy Is an Essential Benefit.
   All states must cover outpatient mental-health services—including individual, family, and group therapy—under federal regulations and parity law. KFF’s 2024 survey shows every state now lists behavioral-health therapy as a core benefit, usually at $0 copay.
   
   
2. Managed-Care Plans Rule.
   About 73 % of enrollees belong to state-contracted HMOs (e.g., Sunshine Health in Florida, Molina in Utah). Each plan builds its own provider directory and call center.
   
   
3. Telehealth Is Here to Stay.
   Since 2020, all 50 states and DC have expanded Medicaid telehealth; most now reimburse video or audio-only mental-health visits delivered to the patient’s home.
   
   
4. Minimal Out-of-Pocket Costs.
   Adult copays, where they exist, run $1–$5 per outpatient visit and are waived for many members such as pregnant people or those under 21.
   
   

If you’re wondering whether a specific therapist covered by Medicaid is free or has a token copay, open your plan’s member portal—or call the number on your card—and ask for the behavioral-health benefit grid.

Types of Medicaid Mental-Health Providers

If you have Medicaid, you still have access to a full range of mental health providers—though availability can vary depending on where you live.

A Medicaid therapist or counselor (such as an LCSW, LMFT, or LPC) provides weekly talk therapy. They can help with anxiety, depression, family conflict, and building coping skills. These are often the providers you’ll see most regularly for ongoing support.

A Medicaid psychologist (PhD or PsyD) can also provide therapy but is especially valuable if you need psychological testing or specialized trauma-focused care. They may be the right fit for evaluations related to ADHD, learning differences, or trauma recovery.

A Medicaid psychiatrist (MD or DO) focuses on the medical side of treatment. They can diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe medications, and manage complex or co-occurring cases. Many people see a psychiatrist for medication management while also working with a therapist for weekly sessions.

Most Medicaid managed-care plans contract with thousands of in-network mental health providers. However, supply often depends on your county—urban areas may have more options, while rural areas sometimes face longer wait times. Telehealth can help bridge those gaps, giving you access to licensed providers even if few are nearby. 

Real-Life Use Case: How Alisha Found a Therapist That Accepts Medicaid

Alisha, a 27-year-old barista in Richmond, Virginia, started feeling postpartum depression three months after giving birth. Here’s her 14-day timeline:

1. Day 1 — Eligibility Check
   She confirms she’s still active on Virginia Medicaid (Cardinal Care) in the state portal.
   
   
2. Day 1 — Plan Hotline
   She calls the behavioral-health number on her Aetna Better Health card and completes a 10-minute screening.
   
   
3. Day 2 — Choices Presented
   The care navigator offers a Teladoc video slot in four days or an in-person therapist that accepts Medicaid in 12.
   
   
4. Day 3 — Directory Deep Dive
   Filtering for Spanish-speaking clinicians, Alisha finds two medicaid therapists near me within five miles.
   
   
5. Day 14 — First Session
   Cost: $0 under postpartum eligibility rules.
   
   
6. Day 15 — Medication Consult
   A virtual visit with a medicaid psychiatrist is scheduled for the following week.
   
   

Alisha’s story shows that once you know the hotline number and directory filters, finding therapists that take Medicaid can move quickly—even in states with limited supply.

Step-by-Step: Finding Mental-Health Care Through Medicaid

1. Verify Your Plan and ID.
   Log into your state’s Medicaid portal or app. If you just qualified, wait for your managed-care assignment letter.
   
   
2. Call the Behavioral-Health Hotline.
   Every plan has a 24/7 line staffed by licensed clinicians. Say, “I’d like to start therapy.”
   
   
3. Use the Online Directory.
   Search keywords like “CBT,” “trauma,” or “child psychology,” then filter for zip code. Look for green check marks or “accepting patients” under each therapist covered by Medicaid.
   
   
4. Ask About Telehealth.
   Many psychologists Medicaid lists now offer secure video— this is a great option if transportation is a limiting factor.
   
   
5. Confirm the Cost.
   Copays are usually $0. If you are quoted a different price, ask, “Is that correct under my eligibility category?”
   
   
6. Book and Add to Calendar.
   If the first available is too far out, request the plan’s “Rapid Access” list or ask for community-mental-health center referrals.

In-Network vs. “Out-of-Network” With Medicaid

Unlike commercial insurance, Medicaid rarely reimburses out-of-network care. Stick to the plan directory or approved referrals. Exceptions:

• Emergency Care (e.g., suicidal crisis in an ER)
  
  
• Network-Adequacy Gaps (no provider within 30 miles or 15 days)
  
  
• • Ask for a single-case agreement so a specialist can bill your plan.

Document every call; parity rules require adequate access to mental health providers that accept Medicaid.

Digital & Telehealth Options in 2025

Medicaid members now have more telehealth choices than ever, with services expanding across states and managed-care plans. Here are the main options you might encounter in 2025:

Teladoc Health partners with some Medicaid HMOs in states like California, Virginia, and New York. Through Teladoc, members can access video therapy and psychiatry visits between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., making it easier to fit appointments into a busy schedule.

Amwell and MDLIVE are available in several states, including Florida, Texas, and Michigan. They offer 24/7 counseling, and many clinicians are bilingual, which can be especially helpful in diverse communities.

For those without reliable internet or video access, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) provide portals that allow audio-only therapy sessions. Thanks to permanent CMS policy, this option is accepted in all states, ensuring care remains accessible even without video.

Tip: Many states now waive copays for telehealth mental health visits delivered to the home. To check if this applies to you, look in your plan booklet for the phrase: “$0 telehealth behavioral-health copay.”

Cost & Coverage 

One of the biggest advantages of Medicaid is that mental health care is often very low-cost—or even free—depending on your eligibility group and state rules.

For children and teens covered under EPSDT (Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment), therapy sessions have a $0 copay, and medications usually run $0 to $1.

For those who are pregnant or postpartum, Medicaid covers both therapy and psychiatric medications at no cost ($0 copay) to encourage maternal mental health support.

For low-income adults, therapy and medication copays are usually very small—typically between $0 and $4 per visit, depending on the state.

For individuals who qualify through disability or SSI, both therapy and psychiatric medications are generally free ($0 copay).

Tip: Some states don’t charge any copays at all, and many waive them if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty level (FPL). Always double-check your state’s Medicaid handbook to confirm your exact benefits.

Tips for Choosing the Right Medicaid Therapist

1. Specialty Match. Trauma, OCD, ADHD—use the directory filters.
   
   
2. Cultural Fit. Language, background, LGBTQ+ competency.
   
   
3. Modality. CBT, EMDR, DBT—ask what’s offered.
   
   
4. Telehealth vs. Office. Confirm availability and tech platform.
   
   
5. Logistics. Evening slots, public-transit access, or virtual only.
   
   

Remember: you can switch providers anytime. Call your plan and say, “I’d like a different therapist that accepts Medicaid.”

Advocating for Yourself When Wait Times Are Long

• Keep Records. Note dates offered and call IDs.
  
  
• Ask for Rapid-Access Clinics. Many states fund walk-in centers for Medicaid.
  
  
• Request a Single-Case Agreement if no in-network clinician is available within state timeliness standards.
  
  
• File a Grievance Online. Plans must respond within 30 days.
  
  
• Escalate to State Medicaid Ombudsman if delays persist.
  
  

Polite persistence often unlocks a sooner slot with a therapist that accepts Medicaid or an expedited visit with psychiatrists that take Medicaid.

Additional Low-Cost Resources

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988
  
  
• SAMHSA Treatment Locator — filter for “payment accepted: Medicaid”
  
  
• Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) — sliding-scale counseling and psychiatry
  
  
• NAMI Peer-Support Groups — free community support

FAQ’s

Does Medicaid cover therapy nationwide?
Yes. Federal rules require every state to cover outpatient mental-health services, though session limits and copays vary.

How do I find Medicaid therapists near me?
Use your plan’s online directory or call the behavioral-health hotline. Search by zip code and specialty.

Is telehealth therapy Medicaid-covered?
In almost every state, yes—video and often audio-only visits are reimbursed at the same rate as office sessions.

What’s the difference between a Medicaid therapist and a Medicaid psychologist?
Therapists (LCSW, LMFT, LPC) focus on talk therapy; psychologists (PhD, PsyD) can provide testing and advanced modalities.

Can I see an out-of-network psychiatrist?
Only if your plan approves a single-case agreement due to network shortages. Otherwise stick to psychiatrists that take Medicaid.