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Medicaid & State Healthcare Insurance: Telehealth Coverage

Published September 2025 · Last updated · Written and edited by Paul Paradis · Educational information – not medical or mental-health advice

What changed: Retitled the heading “Understanding Medicaid and Telehealth” as “How Medicaid handles telehealth”; renamed the link text “Understanding Telehealth Costs & Insurance” to “Telehealth costs if you are not on Medicaid”.

Medicaid covers telehealth services in every state, but the specific services covered, eligible provider types, and access rules differ depending on where you live. Because Medicaid is federally funded but administered by each state under different program names (such as MassHealth in Massachusetts, Medi-Cal in California, or Apple Health in Washington), understanding your state's rules is essential. This guide explains how Medicaid telehealth generally works, lists state-specific program names, and helps you access virtual care. You may also want to explore more affordable therapy options, check the telehealth laws in your state, or review our telehealth pricing overview.

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How Medicaid handles telehealth

Medicaid is a joint federal-state program that provides health coverage to eligible low-income individuals and families. While funded partially by the federal government, each state administers its own Medicaid program under a different name. This means:

State-Sponsored Medicaid Program Names

Medicaid programs are administered under different names in each state. When searching for providers, verifying coverage, or applying for benefits, you may need to use your state's specific program name. Here are the Medicaid program names by state:

State Medicaid Program Directory

  • Alabama: Alabama Medicaid
  • Alaska: Denali KidCare / Alaska Medicaid
  • Arizona: AHCCCS (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System)
  • Arkansas: ARKids First / Arkansas Medicaid
  • California: Medi-Cal
  • Colorado: Health First Colorado
  • Connecticut: HUSKY Health
  • Delaware: Delaware Medicaid / Diamond State Health Plan
  • District of Columbia: DC Medicaid
  • Florida: Florida Medicaid
  • Georgia: Georgia Medicaid / PeachCare for Kids
  • Hawaii: Med-QUEST
  • Idaho: Idaho Medicaid
  • Illinois: Illinois Medicaid / All Kids
  • Indiana: Hoosier Healthwise / Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP)
  • Iowa: Iowa Medicaid (Iowa Health Link)
  • Kansas: KanCare
  • Kentucky: Kentucky Medicaid
  • Louisiana: Louisiana Medicaid (Healthy Louisiana)
  • Maine: MaineCare
  • Maryland: Maryland Medicaid (HealthChoice)
  • Massachusetts: MassHealth
  • Michigan: Healthy Michigan Plan / Michigan Medicaid
  • Minnesota: Medical Assistance / MinnesotaCare
  • Mississippi: Mississippi Medicaid (MississippiCAN)
  • Missouri: MO HealthNet
  • Montana: Montana Medicaid (Passport to Health)
  • Nebraska: Nebraska Medicaid (Heritage Health)
  • Nevada: Nevada Medicaid
  • New Hampshire: NH Medicaid (Granite Advantage)
  • New Jersey: NJ FamilyCare
  • New Mexico: Centennial Care (New Mexico Medicaid)
  • New York: New York Medicaid
  • North Carolina: NC Medicaid (Healthy Opportunities)
  • North Dakota: North Dakota Medicaid
  • Ohio: Ohio Medicaid
  • Oklahoma: SoonerCare
  • Oregon: Oregon Health Plan (OHP)
  • Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Medicaid (HealthChoices)
  • Rhode Island: Rhode Island Medicaid (RIte Care)
  • South Carolina: Healthy Connections Medicaid
  • South Dakota: South Dakota Medicaid
  • Tennessee: TennCare
  • Texas: Texas Medicaid / STAR
  • Utah: Utah Medicaid
  • Vermont: Green Mountain Care / Vermont Medicaid
  • Virginia: Virginia Medicaid (Medallion 4.0)
  • Washington: Apple Health (Washington Medicaid)
  • West Virginia: West Virginia Medicaid (Mountain Health Trust)
  • Wisconsin: BadgerCare Plus
  • Wyoming: Wyoming Medicaid (EqualityCare)

Note: Program names and structures may change. Many states also have separate programs for children (CHIP), seniors, and people with disabilities that operate alongside or within their main Medicaid program. Contact your state's Medicaid office or visit their official website for the most current information.

What Telehealth Services Does Medicaid Typically Cover?

While coverage varies, most state Medicaid programs now cover:

Commonly Covered Services

May Be Covered (Varies by State)

Coverage Modalities

States may cover different types of telehealth delivery:

Medicaid Managed Care and Telehealth

Most Medicaid beneficiaries receive coverage through Managed Care Organizations (MCOs):

Your MCO may have a telehealth service built into your benefits or partnerships with platforms that serve Medicaid members.

Finding Telehealth Providers Who Accept Medicaid

Finding telehealth providers who accept Medicaid can be challenging, but options exist:

Options to Explore

Platform Options

Some telehealth platforms work with Medicaid in certain states:

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Always verify Medicaid acceptance before booking, as coverage varies by state and plan.

What You'll Pay with Medicaid

Medicaid typically has very low or no cost-sharing:

Note: Some states have nominal copays for certain services. Check your specific plan's cost-sharing requirements.

State Variations in Medicaid Telehealth

Key areas where state Medicaid programs differ:

Originating Site Requirements

Provider Types

Service Limitations

Audio-Only Coverage

Mental Health and Behavioral Health Coverage

Mental health telehealth is a particularly important area of Medicaid coverage:

If you're having trouble finding mental health providers who accept Medicaid, community mental health centers are often a reliable option.

How to Access Medicaid Telehealth

  1. Know your coverage: Contact your state Medicaid office or MCO to understand your telehealth benefits
  2. Find a provider: Use your plan's provider directory or ask your current providers about telehealth options
  3. Verify acceptance: Confirm the provider accepts your specific Medicaid plan before booking
  4. Schedule your appointment: Book through the provider's system or your MCO's telehealth platform
  5. Prepare for your visit: Line up reliable internet, a private space, and your Medicaid card and any other documents

Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

CHIP provides coverage for children in families with incomes too high for Medicaid but who can't afford private insurance:

If You're Having Trouble Accessing Telehealth

If you're having difficulty using telehealth with Medicaid:

Technology Access

If technology access is a barrier to telehealth:

What the primary sources say

Each state runs its own Medicaid program, and the Center for Connected Health Policy tracks how state telehealth policies differ (Center for Connected Health Policy). If you need help finding care, SAMHSA's National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral and information service in English and Spanish (SAMHSA's National Helpline). SAMHSA's FindTreatment.gov is a confidential locator for mental health and substance use treatment across the United States and its territories (FindTreatment.gov).

Talk to a licensed clinician: Ask a licensed clinician or your Medicaid plan's member services which telehealth services fit your needs and are covered. The site's free AI guide can help you sort through questions, but it is not a therapist or doctor.

Sources

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Frequently asked questions

Does Medicaid cover telehealth services?

Yes, most state Medicaid programs now cover telehealth services including mental health therapy, psychiatry, primary care, and behavioral health. Coverage rules vary by state since Medicaid is federally funded but administered by each state under different program names like MassHealth, Medi-Cal, or Apple Health.

How much do I pay for Medicaid telehealth visits?

Medicaid typically has very low or no cost-sharing for telehealth. Many programs have no copays or very small copays of $1-$4, no deductibles, and no premiums. Telehealth costs should be the same as in-person visits under your state's Medicaid program.

How do I find telehealth providers who accept Medicaid?

You can find Medicaid-accepting telehealth providers through your Managed Care Organization's provider directory, community mental health centers, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), your state Medicaid website, or the 2-1-1 helpline. Some telehealth platforms like Teladoc, MDLive, and Amwell also work with Medicaid in certain states.

Does Medicaid cover phone-only telehealth appointments?

Many states now cover audio-only phone visits through Medicaid, especially for behavioral health services and established patients. Coverage varies by state, and some limit audio-only visits to certain services or may reimburse at different rates than video visits.

Can I receive Medicaid telehealth from home?

Most states now allow Medicaid beneficiaries to receive telehealth from home. This is a significant expansion from earlier requirements that patients had to be at a medical facility. However, a few states may still have some restrictions, so check with your state Medicaid program.

Does CHIP cover telehealth for children?

Yes, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) generally provides telehealth coverage that mirrors Medicaid in each state. Mental health services for children are typically covered, and pediatric telehealth services are widely available. Contact your state CHIP program for specific coverage details.

Related reading on Medicaid telehealth

Using this Medicaid telehealth guide safely

Treat this Medicaid telehealth guide as general background information only. Medicaid coverage varies significantly by state, and policies change frequently. This guide cannot cover all state-specific rules and exceptions.

Always verify your specific coverage by contacting your state Medicaid office or your Managed Care Organization. For specific questions about benefits, eligibility, or coverage disputes, consult with your plan or a healthcare advocate.

Sources

The person behind this Medicaid telehealth guide

Paul Paradis, who founded and edits Telehealth Navigator, wrote and edited this Medicaid telehealth guide, and his background includes more than two years working inside a forensic mental health hospital setting along with a personal and family life that mental health is part of. Each guide begins with source material most readers don’t have time to read, such as SAMHSA program documents, APA and NIMH guidance, and CMS telehealth policy, all of it rewritten here in plain English with links back to each original so you can verify it yourself. Since Paul is not a licensed clinician, this Medicaid telehealth guide is not medical advice, and the full account of how each guide is researched, reviewed, and updated is in our editorial standards.