Addiction (substance use) counseling: Medicaid rates by state
16 states publish a Medicaid rate for addiction (substance use) counseling, compared at the physician psychologist level. Per hour, rates range from — in Virginia to $127.48 in South Dakota.
- States
- 16
- Median per hour
- $74.28
- Highest
- $127.48South Dakota
- Lowest
- —Virginia
Every state, ranked
| # | State | Rate | Unit | Per hour | Effective | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South DakotaAny qualified provider (rate does not vary by provider) | $31.87 | 15 min | $127.48 | 2026-06-01 | Official source |
| 2 | MarylandAny qualified provider (rate does not vary by provider) | $31.06 | 15 min | $124.24 | 2024-07-01 | Official source |
| 3 | South CarolinaAny qualified provider (rate does not vary by provider) | $25.07 | 15 min | $100.28 | 2025-12-01 | Official source |
| 4 | ColoradoAny qualified provider (rate does not vary by provider) | $21.78 | 15 min | $87.12 | 2026-07-01 | Official source |
| 5 | LouisianaMaster's-level staff | $18.57 | 15 min | $74.28 | 2026-01-01 | Official source |
| 6 | AlaskaAny qualified provider (rate does not vary by provider) | $11.39 | 15 min | $45.56 | 2026-07-01 | Official source |
| 7 | ConnecticutAny qualified provider (rate does not vary by provider) | $45.26 | hour | $45.26 | 2021-07-01 | Official source |
| 8 | OhioPhysician or licensed psychologist (incl. BCBA-D) | $10.56 | 15 min | $42.24 | 2024-01-01 | Official source |
| 9 | IndianaAny qualified provider (rate does not vary by provider) | $14.58 | hour | $14.58 | 2020-04-01 | Official source |
| 10 | IllinoisAny qualified provider (rate does not vary by provider) | $306.55 | day | — | 2025-07-01 | Official source |
| 11 | MaineAny qualified provider (rate does not vary by provider) | $302.12 | — | — | 2025-07-01 | Official source |
| 12 | CaliforniaPhysician or licensed psychologist (incl. BCBA-D) | $226.06 | — | — | 2026-07-01 | Official source |
| 13 | MinnesotaAny qualified provider (rate does not vary by provider) | $34.00 | — | — | 2011-07-01 | Official source |
| 14 | FloridaAny qualified provider (rate does not vary by provider) | $15.00 | per quarter unit | — | 2026-01-01 | Official source |
| 15 | WashingtonAny qualified provider (rate does not vary by provider) | $15.00 | EA | — | 2021-07-01 | Official source |
| 16 | VirginiaAny qualified provider (rate does not vary by provider) | $7.72 | — | — | 2025-07-01 | Official source |
Frequently asked questions
Which state pays the most for addiction (substance use) counseling?
South Dakota: $31.87 per 15 min ($127.48 per hour).
What is the average Medicaid rate for addiction (substance use) counseling?
Across 16 states the median is $74.28 per hour, comparing the same provider level in each state.
Other Behavioral health services
Skills training and development38 statesMental health counseling35 statesMental health service plan development33 statesTherapeutic behavioral services33 statesPeer support (behavioral health)24 statesCommunity-based wraparound services24 statesAssertive Community Treatment (ACT) team23 statesPsychiatric residential treatment (daily)22 statesPsychosocial rehabilitation21 states
Addiction (substance use) counseling in your statesRates, plan rules, labor costs and changes, with alerts.