Does Medicaid cover therapy in Maryland?

Yes. Maryland Medicaid covers therapy and medication care for members, and you usually don't need a referral from your primary care provider. Mental health services for Medicaid members are managed by Carelon Behavioral Health rather than your HealthChoice plan, and some services need approval first, which your provider's office requests.

How it works: HealthChoice and Carelon

Most Maryland Medicaid members are in a HealthChoice plan, such as Aetna Better Health of Maryland, CareFirst Community Health Plan Maryland, Jai Medical Systems, Kaiser Permanente, Maryland Physicians Care, MedStar Family Choice, Priority Partners, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan or Wellpoint Maryland. For mental health care, though, services are managed separately by Carelon Behavioral Health. That's why a therapist may ask for your Medicaid information rather than focusing on your plan name.

What's covered

• Therapy with a licensed clinician
• Psychiatric evaluation and medication management
• ABA therapy for members under 21 with an autism diagnosis, with prior approval
• Telehealth visits by video, and by phone when care can be fully provided without video

Do you need a referral?

Not for therapy or medication management. You can contact a provider that accepts Medicaid directly. ABA is different: it needs a referral from a qualified health care professional and approval from Carelon.

What to bring to your first visit

• Your Medicaid card, front and back
• Photo ID
• A list of current medications and your pharmacy, for medication care
• Your primary care provider's name

Medicaid at Hearthway

We accept Maryland Medicaid for all three of our services: therapy, medication management with licensed nurse practitioners, and in-home ABA. Therapy and medication visits are by video or phone anywhere in Maryland for ages 6 and up, and our office handles any approvals.

At Hearthway

Online therapy

One-on-one therapy with a licensed clinician by secure video or phone, for children from age 6, teens and adults anywhere in Maryland.

Questions about your situation?

Talk to our office, Monday to Friday, 9 to 5.