Mental health services in New York — overview
New York operates one of the most expansive Medicaid mental health systems in the United States. The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) and the Department of Health (DOH) jointly oversee a network of nearly 4,000 licensed mental health providers serving more than 700,000 New Yorkers each year.
This guide explains how to find a Medicaid- or Medicare-covered mental health provider in New York in 2026, what services are typically covered, the difference between OMH-licensed and Article 31 clinics, how Health Homes coordinate care, and how to handle a crisis.
Who qualifies for Medicaid mental health in New York
Standard Medicaid covers mental health services for any New Yorker who meets these criteria:
- Income at or below 138% of the federal poverty level for adults (~$20,783 individual, $28,207 couple in 2026).
- Children up to age 19 with household income up to 405% FPL through Child Health Plus.
- Pregnant individuals up to 218% FPL.
- Aged, blind, or disabled adults under the standard Medicaid asset and income tests.
Even uninsured New Yorkers can usually access services through OMH-licensed clinics, which use sliding fees and accept self-pay or charity care for residents who fall through the cracks of Medicaid eligibility.
What Medicaid mental health covers in New York
New York Medicaid covers a broader range of mental health services than most states:
- Outpatient therapy: individual, group, family, and couples therapy with licensed clinical social workers (LCSW), psychologists, mental health counselors, and marriage & family therapists.
- Psychiatric medication management.
- Article 31 clinic visits.
- Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and Personalized Recovery-Oriented Services (PROS).
- Inpatient psychiatric hospitalization.
- Crisis services and Mobile Crisis Teams.
- Children's services through Child and Family Treatment and Support Services (CFTSS) and Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS).
- Health Home care management for serious mental illness.
Article 31 clinics — the most common entry point
Article 31 clinics are outpatient mental health clinics licensed by OMH under Article 31 of the New York Mental Hygiene Law. They accept Medicaid, Medicare, most private insurers, and offer a sliding fee for the uninsured. Their staff includes psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, social workers, and psychologists.
Article 31 clinics typically offer:
- Initial intake and biopsychosocial assessment.
- Individual and group therapy.
- Medication evaluation and ongoing management.
- Care coordination with primary care.
- Specialty programs for trauma, substance use co-occurring disorders, eating disorders, and child/adolescent populations.
To find an Article 31 clinic, search OMH's online provider directory or use Senova's New York mental health directory.
Health Homes for serious mental illness
New York's Health Home program provides care management for Medicaid members with serious mental illness, serious emotional disturbance (children), HIV/AIDS, or two or more chronic conditions. A care manager coordinates psychiatric care, primary care, social services (housing, food, employment), and helps prevent hospital readmissions.
Health Home enrollment is voluntary and free. Once enrolled, members work with a care manager who:
- Schedules appointments and helps with transportation.
- Coordinates between treating providers.
- Helps apply for SSI/SSDI, SNAP, and housing assistance.
- Develops a comprehensive plan of care.
- Provides crisis-planning and follow-up after psychiatric ER visits or hospitalizations.
Crisis services and 988
If you or a loved one are in mental health crisis:
- 988 — the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Call or text 24/7. New York's local 988 hub is fully operational.
- NYC Well — text WELL to 65173 or call 1-888-NYC-WELL for NYC-specific 24/7 mental health support.
- Mobile Crisis Teams — available in every county. Dispatched through 988 or local hotline.
- Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Programs (CPEP) — psychiatric ERs at hospitals across NY State that handle 24-hour holds and rapid stabilization.
- 988 Veterans Crisis Line — press 1 after calling 988.
How to find a New York mental health provider
- Confirm your insurance. If on Medicaid, identify your managed care plan (Healthfirst, Fidelis, MetroPlus, etc.) — providers must be in your plan's network.
- Browse a verified directory. Senova's New York mental health directory lists Medicaid- and Medicare-accepting providers.
- Call multiple providers. The first available appointment in NY is often four to eight weeks out. Calling six or more clinics dramatically reduces wait time.
- Ask the right questions: wait time for first appointment, languages spoken, evening or weekend availability, telehealth options, treatment specialties (trauma, OCD, substance use, etc.).
- Use telehealth aggressively. New York permanently expanded Medicaid telehealth coverage post-pandemic; many top NYC providers now offer 100% virtual care, opening up the entire state's provider pool.