Does Medicaid NY cover therapy?

Asked by: Melisa Champlin  |  Last update: May 17, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (38 votes)

Medicaid does cover therapy for adults, children, and adolescents, making mental health care accessible to everyone who needs it. In New York, Medicaid provides mental health benefits through Medicaid Managed Care plans, specifically designed to offer essential services to eligible individuals.

Does Medicaid pay for therapy sessions?

Does Medicaid cover therapy? Yes, Medicaid health insurance plans cover behavioral health services and mental health treatment for therapy and other mental health services. However, how much Medicaid coverage offers its members depends on the exact plan, location, and behavioral health providers.

What is covered under Medicaid in NY?

NY Medicaid benefits cover regular exams, immunizations, doctor and clinic visits, relevant medical supplies and equipment, lab tests and x-rays, vision, dental, nursing home services, hospital stays, emergencies, and prescriptions.

What treatments are not covered by Medicaid?

Surprising Things Your State Medicaid May Not Cover
  • Dental Services. ...
  • Cosmetic Surgery. ...
  • Non-Prescription Drugs and Health Supplements. ...
  • Experimental Treatments. ...
  • Elective Abortions. ...
  • Personal Comfort Items. ...
  • Home Modifications for Disability. ...
  • Non-Emergency Medical Transportation.

How do I find a therapist if I have Medicaid?

Medicaid Mental Health Provider List. There are a few different ways to find mental health providers who accept Medicaid. You can contact a provider directly to ask if they accept Medicaid or you can ask a representative at your local Medicaid office for a list of covered providers. You can also search online.

Does Medicaid Cover Therapists? - Stress Free Mindset

29 related questions found

Does NY Medicaid pay for therapy?

Medicaid does cover therapy for adults, children, and adolescents, making mental health care accessible to everyone who needs it. In New York, Medicaid provides mental health benefits through Medicaid Managed Care plans, specifically designed to offer essential services to eligible individuals.

Does mental illness qualify for Medicaid?

Medicaid is the single largest payer for mental health services in the United States and is increasingly playing a larger role in the reimbursement of substance use disorder services.

What will Medicaid not pay for?

Medicaid coverage can vary from state to state, but here are some common services and items that are typically not covered: Elective cosmetic procedures: Cosmetic surgeries and procedures, such as cosmetic dentistry and non-medical weight loss procedures, that are not medically necessary are typically not covered.

Why do doctors refuse Medicaid patients?

One reason is that reimbursement rates for Medicaid are lower than for Medicare or commercial insurance. Another (often overlooked) factor, however, is physician's risk of payment denials and the administrative hassle they face trying to get reimbursed by Medicaid.

What are the downsides of Medicaid?

Disadvantages of Medicaid

One of the primary reasons for this is that Medicaid reimbursements are lower than those of commercial insurers for most procedures and treatments.

What is excluded from Medicaid?

Mandatory exclusions: OIG is required by law to exclude from participation in all Federal health care programs individuals and entities convicted of the following types of criminal offenses: Medicare or Medicaid fraud, as well as any other offenses related to the delivery of items or services under Medicare, Medicaid, ...

Does Medicaid cover physical therapy in New York state?

Medicaid will pay for up to 20 physical therapy visits, 20 occupational therapy visits, and 20 speech therapy visits per enrollee in a twelve-month benefit year.

How many days of therapy does Medicare pay for?

There's no limit on how much Medicare pays for your medically necessary outpatient therapy services in one calendar year.

Who uses Medicaid the most?

In 2020, Medicaid and CHIP provided coverage for nearly 55 million people of color. These programs provide essential coverage for a population that is more diverse than the broader U.S. population—especially among children, with 61 percent of Medicaid and CHIP enrollees under age 19 being children of color.

Do most doctors accept Medicaid?

This gap was much larger in some states than others. For example, in New Jersey, Florida, Louisiana, and California, physicians were more than 30 percentage-points less likely to accept new patients with Medicaid coverage than those with private insurance.

Why do people disagree with Medicaid?

Liberals view Medicaid as diverting the Nation's attention from the need for national health insurance. They are troubled by the fact that the program covers less than one-half the Nation's poor and that there are substantial variations in State Medicaid programs.

How many therapy sessions does Medicaid cover?

The number of therapy sessions Medicaid covers varies by state and individual plan. Some states may offer unlimited sessions, while others may have limits. For example: Some states cover up to 30 sessions per year.

What does Medicaid cover in NY?

Medicaid covers the essential benefits you need to stay healthy, including:
  • $0 annual checkups.
  • Hospital, emergency room, urgent care, and retail health clinic visits.
  • Maternity coverage for you and your newborn.
  • Hearing, vision, and dental care.
  • 24/7 access to care with telemedicine.

Is it illegal to pay out of pocket if you have Medicaid?

Out of pocket costs cannot be imposed for emergency services, family planning services, pregnancy-related services, or preventive services for children. Generally, out of pocket costs apply to all Medicaid enrollees except those specifically exempted by law and most are limited to nominal amounts.

Does Medicaid reimburse for therapy?

Medicaid is the single largest payer for mental health services in the United States. 2 While it didn't always include therapy as a benefit and limitations do still exist, Medicaid now covers this and a myriad of other substance use, mental health, and behavioral health services.

Does Medicare cover therapy?

» Medicare covers mental health services and visits with marriage & family therapists and mental health counselors. » Medicare covers intensive outpatient services in certain settings.

How often does Medicaid check your bank account?

Medicaid agencies can check your account balances for bank accounts at any financial institution you've used in the past five years. They will check when you submit an application and on an annual basis, but checks can occur at any time.

How to find a therapist in NYC with Medicaid?

If you don't need a referral from your primary care provider, you can use the NYC Well website to find a mental health professional. Visit NYC Well or call the NYC Well Hotline at 1-888-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355) and indicate that you need to find a mental health provider who accepts Medicaid.

How to get free therapy in NYC?

988 is your connection to free, confidential crisis counseling, mental health and substance use support, information and referrals. You can reach the toll-free help line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone, text and online chat. Behavioral health professionals there can link you to the services you need.