If you or someone you love is in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 988.
How Florida Medicaid pays for addiction treatment
In Florida, Medicaid is delivered through Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) plans. Nationally, SAMHSA and CMS identify Medicaid as the single largest payer for substance use and mental health treatment in the US.
Of the 853 Florida facilities in our directory, the number listing each service is:
- Outpatient care: 476
- Co-occurring mental health care: 212
- Partial hospitalization: 154
- Intensive outpatient: 120
- Residential rehab: 108
- Medical detox: 94
- Virtual or in-home care: 61
Of the same 853 facilities, 270 accept Medicaid.
Who qualifies, and how to apply
Florida has not expanded Medicaid. In states that did, adults can qualify with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level. In Florida, childless adults rarely qualify, so if that describes you, do not wait on Medicaid alone. Look into state-funded treatment at the same time.
You can apply for Florida Medicaid through the state's ACCESS system in any month of the year. There is no enrollment period to wait for.
While your application is pending, do not put treatment on hold. Ask each program you contact whether it has state-funded slots or a sliding-scale fee.
Treatment without Medicaid: state-funded programs
The state agency responsible for substance use services is the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), through its Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health. Seven regional Managing Entities contract state-funded treatment for uninsured residents, so when you call a program, ask whether it has slots paid for this way.
To find state-funded rehab near you, dial 211 and ask for a substance use treatment referral. DCF licenses substance abuse treatment providers under Chapter 397, so any program you consider should be able to confirm its license.
Many state-funded programs have waitlists for residential beds, while waits for outpatient care are usually shorter. Programs that receive SAMHSA block grant funding give priority admission to pregnant women and to people who inject drugs. If either applies to you, say so on the first call.
Paying for treatment without coverage
Programs that receive federal SAMHSA block grant funding must serve people who cannot pay, often on a sliding scale, which means the fee is set according to your income. Because programs quote on income, ask each one for its quote in writing, what the quote includes, and whether the fee would change if your Medicaid application is later approved.
Facilities in our directory that accept Medicaid
The facilities listed on this page come from our database of 853 Florida treatment facilities in 169 cities and towns, 270 of which accept Medicaid.
Among our listings, the most options for Medicaid rehab in Florida are in Miami, with 27 Medicaid-accepting facilities on the Miami page. Fort Lauderdale follows with 19, then Orlando with 15, Bradenton with 9 and Lakeland with 8. In Orlando, for example, The Healing Tree and Orlando Methadone Treatment Center - New Season both list Medicaid. We name these facilities only to show how listings appear, not as recommendations or rankings, so compare any program against your own needs.
Listings can change. Before you go, confirm with the facility that it still accepts Medicaid and is in network with your SMMC plan. You can also browse Florida listings on our Florida rehab page.
The Marchman Act, for families
When a loved one refuses help, the Marchman Act (Florida Statutes Chapter 397) lets a family petition the court for involuntary assessment and treatment. The process has legal requirements, so speak with an attorney about whether it fits your situation, what is involved and any costs before you file.
Official Florida resources
- Florida Medicaid (ACCESS application). Use this page to start a Florida Medicaid application through ACCESS.
- DCF Substance Abuse and Mental Health. Find information from the state substance use agency, DCF's Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health.
How to start today
There are three ways to begin, depending on whether you have Medicaid, have no coverage, or need help today.
If you have Medicaid, call your SMMC plan or a program from the facility list on this page and ask whether it is in network. If you have no coverage, apply for Medicaid and ask about state-funded rehab and sliding-scale fees while your application is pending. You can also use our insurance verification page.
If you need help today, SAMHSA's National Helpline, 1-800-662-4357, is free and confidential, and available 24 hours a day in English and Spanish. In a crisis, call or text 988.
Recovery support is also available outside of treatment. Our directory lists 3,871 AA meetings and 1,229 NA meetings across the state on the Florida meetings page, and you can attend while in a program or while waiting for a spot. Schedules can change, so confirm with the group before you go.
