Key points
- Florida Medicaid covers mental health care — therapy, psychiatry, and ABA for eligible children — usually at little to no cost to you.
- Most people have a managed-care plan (Sunshine, Molina, Humana, and others). The plan's name is printed on your Medicaid card.
- For Medicaid, Coral serves Region 11 — Miami-Dade and Monroe — and you usually don't need a referral.
- Not sure what you have? Call or text us and our bilingual team will check your coverage and tell you the next step.
There's a quiet myth worth clearing up: that having Medicaid means you have to settle for less when it comes to mental health. You don't. Florida Medicaid covers real, ongoing behavioral health care — the same therapy and psychiatry anyone else receives — and often the visits cost you little or nothing.
The barrier is rarely the coverage. It's the maze: plan names, networks, referrals, regions. This guide walks through it in plain language, so you can use the benefits you already have.
Yes — Medicaid covers mental health
Behavioral health is a covered benefit under Florida Medicaid for both children and adults. That includes therapy and counseling, psychiatry and medication management, and — for eligible children — ABA therapy for autism. You're not asking for a favor by using these services; you're using care that's already part of your plan.
Understanding your plan
Most Floridians on Medicaid are enrolled in a managed-care plan — a private health plan that runs your Medicaid benefits. Common ones in our area include Sunshine Health, Molina, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, among others. The plan's name is printed right on your Medicaid card, usually near your name and member ID. Knowing your plan matters because care is covered when you see a provider who is in network with it — and Coral is in network with most major Medicaid plans in Miami.
Having Medicaid shouldn't mean settling for less care. It means the care is already paid for — the hard part is just knowing where to start.
What "Region 11" means for you
Florida runs its Medicaid managed care by region. Region 11 is Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, and that's the area Coral serves for Medicaid patients. If you live in Miami-Dade or Monroe and have Florida Medicaid, you're in the right place — we can see you in person at our office in Little Havana. (If you have Medicare, private insurance, or you're paying out of pocket, we can also see you by telehealth anywhere in Florida.)
Do I need a referral?
Usually not. Many Florida Medicaid plans let you go straight to an in-network behavioral health provider for therapy or a psychiatric evaluation, without a referral from your primary doctor. ABA therapy for autism is the main exception — it generally begins after a diagnosis and a referral that establish the medical need. Either way, you don't have to memorize the rules: call us, and we'll confirm exactly what your plan needs before your first visit.
What to have ready
- Your Medicaid card — or your member ID and the plan name if you have them.
- A photo ID for the adult patient, or the parent/guardian for a child.
- A short note on what you're looking for — therapy, psychiatry, ABA, or "I'm not sure, I just need help figuring it out." All of those are fine.
What it costs
For covered behavioral health services with an in-network provider, Florida Medicaid generally leaves you with little to no out-of-pocket cost. That's the point of the benefit — to make care reachable. If anything about cost is ever unclear, we'll tell you plainly before you're seen, never after.
How to start
The simplest path is one phone call or text. Tell us your plan (or let us look it up), tell us what's going on, and we'll handle the coverage details and book your first visit. No runaround, no long waitlist — just a real, bilingual person helping you use the benefits you already have. You can also see everything we offer on our services page.
Frequently asked
Does Florida Medicaid cover therapy and psychiatry?
Yes. Florida Medicaid covers behavioral health care, including therapy (counseling) and psychiatry with medication management, for children and adults — usually at little to no out-of-pocket cost when you see an in-network provider.
Do I need a referral to start mental health care with Medicaid?
Usually no. Many Florida Medicaid plans let you go directly to an in-network behavioral health provider. We'll confirm what your specific plan requires before your first visit — just call or text us.
What if I'm not sure which Medicaid plan I have?
That's common. Your plan name is printed on your Medicaid card. If you're unsure, call or text us with your information and our bilingual team will check your coverage and tell you the next step.
Does Medicaid cover ABA therapy for autism?
Often, yes. Florida Medicaid and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) may cover ABA for eligible children, usually after an autism diagnosis and based on medical necessity. We can help you understand the steps.
