Dermatologists That Accept Medicaid: Complete State Guide

One of the more difficult aspects of specialty care in the U.S. is locating a dermatologist who accepts Medicaid patients. Dermatology is among the specialties with the lowest numbers of physicians accepting Medicaid patients, with national surveys indicating that only approximately 1 out of 3 dermatologists will accept new Medicaid patients. Reasons are primarily reimbursement rates, which are relatively low; demand from privately insured patients; and lower incentives for training programs to treat Medicaid patients. Coverage for dermatology may differ from state-to-state and if it does, it can take months to book a real appointment.

This guide will cover the basics of medicaid dermatology coverage, what services are usually covered, how to locate a participating dermatologist in your area, and what steps you can take if you don't have a lot of options. Data are from Medicaid.gov, CMS, KFF, and academic dermatology research.

Does Medicaid cover dermatology?

Does medicaid cover dermatology? Yes, in every state, but only for medically necessary skin care. Cosmetic procedures (Botox, fillers, laser hair removal, cosmetic skin surgery) are not covered under any state Medicaid program. Medical dermatology services that diagnose and treat conditions affecting health are generally covered.

What Medicaid skin doctor services typically include:

• Diagnostic exams for suspicious moles, rashes, lesions

• Skin cancer screenings for high-risk patients

• Treatment of skin cancer (basal cell, squamous cell, melanoma)

• Acne treatment, particularly for severe or scarring acne

• Eczema, psoriasis, and other inflammatory skin conditions

• Skin infections (bacterial, viral, fungal)

• Hair loss evaluation when due to medical conditions

• Mohs surgery for skin cancer in difficult locations

• Biopsies and minor surgical procedures

What's not covered:

• Cosmetic procedures of any kind

• Wrinkle reduction (Botox, fillers)

• Cosmetic mole removal

• Laser hair removal (except for specific medical conditions)

• Vitiligo treatments aimed at appearance only

• Tattoo removal

Medicaid dermatology coverage by service

Medicaid dermatology coverage varies somewhat by state, but most states cover the major medically necessary services:

Specialty medications like biologic injections for severe psoriasis or eczema (Humira, Stelara, Skyrizi, etc.) typically require prior authorization, but Medicaid programs in nearly every state cover them when medically necessary.

What dermatology services does Medicaid cover for cancer screening?

Skin cancer screening through Medicaid is covered when medically necessary, but routine annual screenings for the general adult population are generally not covered as preventive services. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force does not currently recommend universal skin cancer screening for asymptomatic adults, which influences Medicaid coverage rules.

Medicaid will typically cover skin cancer screening for:

• People with a family or personal history of melanoma

• People with multiple atypical moles

• Immunocompromised people (transplant patients, etc.)

• People with extensive sun damage or actinic keratoses

• Anyone with concerning lesions

For people without elevated risk, Medicaid may not cover purely preventive dermatology visits but will cover any diagnostic visit for a specific concern (a new or changing mole, persistent rash, etc.).

Find a dermatologist that takes Medicaid

Find dermatologist that takes medicaid in your area through these channels:

1. Your state Medicaid agency's provider directory. Search "[your state] Medicaid dermatologist" or visit your state Medicaid agency's website. The directory should list participating providers.

2. Your Medicaid managed care plan's directory. If you're enrolled in a Medicaid MCO, your plan's specific provider directory matters more than the state's full Medicaid network. Member services can help you find participating dermatologists.

3. Academic medical centers and dermatology training programs. Major hospitals affiliated with medical schools (Columbia, UCLA, University of Michigan, etc.) have dermatology departments. Resident clinics at these institutions often accept Medicaid for supervised care at reduced rates and shorter wait times than private dermatology offices.

4. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). While not all FQHCs have on-site dermatology, many have telehealth dermatology partnerships or refer patients to participating dermatologists. Find centers through HRSA's directory.

5. Teledermatology services. Several Medicaid programs now cover teledermatology, where you submit photos of skin issues and receive a remote evaluation from a dermatologist within a few days. This bypasses the in-person appointment shortage and often reduces wait times from months to days.

6. American Academy of Dermatology directory. The AAD directory lists dermatologists nationwide, with filters for insurance acceptance including Medicaid in some cases.

A practical reality: even with Medicaid coverage, getting a dermatology appointment can take 2 to 6 months in many regions. For urgent concerns, the emergency room or your primary care physician can often handle initial evaluation and refer you to dermatology if needed.

Medicaid dermatology coverage for children

Medicaid dermatology coverage for children under 21 is comprehensive in every state under federal EPSDT requirements. This includes:

• Diagnostic exams for any skin condition

• Treatment of skin cancer (rare in children)

• Acne treatment, including prescription medications and biologics for severe cases

• Eczema treatment, including pediatric biologics for moderate to severe cases

• Hemangioma and birthmark evaluation

• Wart removal when medically necessary

• Treatment of skin infections

Pediatric dermatologists who accept Medicaid are easier to find than general dermatologists for adults, particularly through children's hospitals. The Society for Pediatric Dermatology maintains a member directory.

Medicaid skin doctor: addressing the access gap

The medicaid skin doctor access gap is real and significant. Research published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology shows that Medicaid patients face longer wait times, fewer accepting providers, and higher rates of appointment cancellation than privately insured patients. Some patterns:

• New Medicaid patient appointment success rate: typically 30% to 50% lower than private insurance

• Average wait time when accepted: 30 to 90 days for non-urgent care

• Geographic variation: rural areas and some states have severe shortages

Strategies for accessing dermatology with Medicaid:

• Start with a primary care physician (PCP) referral. Many skin issues can be initially diagnosed and treated by PCPs. This is often faster than waiting for dermatology.

• Use telehealth dermatology services. Several Medicaid programs cover teledermatology, with shorter wait times.

• Try academic medical centers first. Resident clinics often have shorter waits and accept Medicaid more readily.

• Be persistent on cancellation lists. Practices regularly have last-minute openings, and Medicaid patients on cancellation lists often get those slots.

• Don't go without care for serious conditions. Skin cancer, severe acne with scarring, severe eczema, and other conditions worsen with delay. Your PCP can often initiate treatment and follow up while you wait for dermatology.