Finding a dermatologist who accepts Medicaid can be challenging, especially when you’re managing a chronic skin condition such as psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), or atopic dermatitis. The fact is, only about one‑third of U.S. dermatologists accept Medicaid, according to a 2025 JAAD analysis.
Access can also take time. In AMN Healthcare’s 2025 survey of physician offices across 15 large U.S. metropolitan areas, the average wait for a new dermatology appointment was 36.5 days. Medicaid participation also varies significantly among providers and by location.
This guide looks at several options for people seeking Medicaid-covered dermatology care in 2026, with particular attention to chronic conditions that may require ongoing treatment, medication management, and insurance coordination.
Methodology: How We Selected the Best Medicaid‑Friendly Dermatologists
We evaluated each option based on factors that may matter to people managing a chronic skin condition through Medicaid:
- Medicaid participation: Whether the provider or care model serves Medicaid patients, recognizing that coverage varies by state and individual plan.
- Dermatology expertise: Access to clinicians experienced in managing chronic inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and hidradenitis suppurativa.
- Care coordination: Support connecting dermatology care with pharmacy services, insurance requirements, and other members of the care team when needed.
- Appointment access: Availability of in-person or virtual appointments and potential barriers such as referral requirements.
- Patient support: Assistance with prior authorizations, medication access, follow-up, and care coordination.
Our focus is on options that may be especially useful for people with moderate-to-severe chronic skin disease who need ongoing specialist care rather than a one-time visit.
We started with models that have proven Medicaid integration, then expanded to provider types that reliably serve this population.
#1: AndHealth – Full‑Team Specialty Care for PsO, HS, and AD
AndHealth provides in-person dermatology care at locations across Ohio and Indiana, along with virtual care for eligible patients in those states. AndHealth accepts Medicaid, Medicare, TRICARE, and many commercial insurance plans; patients should confirm participation with their specific health plan before scheduling.
What sets it apart isn’t just that it accepts Medicaid — it’s that it has built an entire specialty team around the dermatologist visit.
Patients are supported by a coordinated care team that can include a dermatologist, clinical pharmacist, health coach, and patient navigator. These team members work together across the care journey to support treatment planning, medication access, insurance requirements, and ongoing follow-up.
Here’s what makes AndHealth the strongest integrated option for Medicaid patients with psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, or HS:
- Medicaid coverage: AndHealth states that eligible Ohio and Indiana Medicaid members have no copays for appointments with members of their AndHealth care team. Coverage and out-of-pocket costs for medications, laboratory testing, imaging, and other services can vary by plan and should be confirmed individually.
- Appointment access: New-patient appointments are often available within 1–2 weeks, and first appointments are designed to allow more time for evaluation and treatment planning. A referral is not generally required to schedule with AndHealth, although insurance requirements can vary.
- Chronic-condition care: AndHealth provides dermatology care for psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and other skin conditions. Depending on a patient’s diagnosis, clinical needs, and insurance coverage, treatment may include topical medications, systemic therapies, biologics, and ongoing monitoring.
- Specialty pharmacy support: AndHealth’s pharmacy team can help patients navigate prior authorizations, insurance requirements, medication access, and refills for specialty therapies when appropriate.
- Between-visit support: Patients may have access to ongoing messaging and care coordination between scheduled visits for questions related to their treatment plan, medications, or next steps in care.
- Research participation: AndHealth is involved in the IMPACT Autoimmune Research Registry, an observational research initiative studying people with autoimmune conditions. Participation in a research registry should not be interpreted as evidence that a specific treatment or care model produces better clinical outcomes.
- Multiple Ohio and Indiana locations: Ohio clinics in Columbus (two sites), Cambridge, Franklinton, Greenville, Logan, and Springfield; Indiana clinics in Anderson, Greenfield, Indianapolis (Castleton, 16th Street, Post Road, and Speedway), and Noblesville; plus telehealth for all residents. (Indiana page, Columbus page)
May be a good fit for Ohio or Indiana Medicaid members looking for coordinated dermatology care with support navigating medications and insurance requirements.
Less ideal if you live outside those two states — the zero‑copay promise and care‑team model are geographically limited.
AndHealth’s model addresses key barriers for Medicaid patients, such as cost and administrative complexity, and aims to improve dermatology access for Ohio and Indiana residents.
#2: Academic Medical Centers – Multidisciplinary Care for Complex Cases
University dermatology clinics often accept Medicaid and bring together multidisciplinary teams — dermatologists, rheumatologists, pharmacists — that mirror the integrated approach needed for severe psoriasis, AD, and HS.
These centers are also more likely to have deep experience with biologics and to participate in clinical trials. The same JAAD study noted that only 10% of dermatologists practice in rural areas, making academic medical centers critical for underserved regions where private specialist access is thin.
- Medicaid acceptance: Most academic hospitals take state Medicaid plans; verify using your plan’s provider directory.
- Subspecialty expertise: Faculty dermatologists often focus on psoriasis, eczema, or HS, and can coordinate seamlessly with rheumatology if psoriatic arthritis is in the picture.
- Biologic access: Dedicated pharmacy teams and staff who understand step‑therapy appeals mean a smoother path to advanced meds.
- Drawback to plan for: Wait times can stretch to 5.2 weeks for a new-patient appointment — longer than private clinics.
May be a good fit for complex cases that need multiple specialists under one roof.
Less ideal if you need an appointment in two weeks or less.
If you live near a teaching hospital, an academic dermatology clinic is a reliable, high‑quality option. Call ahead to confirm Medicaid coverage and ask about the specific process for biologic approvals.
#3: Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) – Sliding‑Scale, Community‑Based Care
FQHCs are required by law to accept Medicaid and offer sliding‑fee discounts, making them a true safety net. While many don’t have on‑site dermatologists, they can serve as a vital entry point, connecting you with specialist referrals and helping you manage prescriptions.
For a patient who hasn’t seen anyone for their skin in years, an FQHC visit is a practical first step.
- Guaranteed Medicaid acceptance: No matter which state plan you’re on, FQHCs take it.
- Care coordination: Many FQHCs partner with local dermatology clinics or use telehealth to link you to a specialist without you having to find one yourself.
- Prescription support: In‑house pharmacists or social workers can help with prior authorizations, manufacturer patient assistance programs, and navigating formulary restrictions.
- Limitation: You may not see a board‑certified dermatologist at the first appointment; initial management may come from a primary care provider who can then refer you.
May be a good fit for getting your foot in the door with a provider who can coordinate the rest.
Less ideal if you need immediate, specialist‑level treatment for a severe flare.
Ask the FQHC about their dermatology referral network and whether they can help you get a biologic prescription moving through the system.
#4: Teledermatology Platforms Accepting Medicaid
Several teledermatology platforms now contract with state Medicaid programs, offering virtual consultations that can slash wait times. For someone with psoriasis, AD, or HS, a telehealth visit can be an efficient way to start treatment or get a second opinion — especially if you live far from a specialist.
- Shorter wait times: Virtual consults can often be scheduled within days, compared to the 36.5‑day national in‑person average.
- Medicaid compatibility: Check your state’s Medicaid managed‑care directory for contracted telehealth dermatology providers; some platforms are in‑network.
- Biologic prescribing: Before booking, confirm that the platform’s dermatologists can actually prescribe biologics and manage prior authorizations across state lines — not all can.
- Limitation: Most teledermatology platforms don’t offer the full integrated care‑team model (pharmacist, health coach, navigator) that AndHealth provides.
May be a good fit for quickly getting a specialist’s eyes on your skin without travel.
Less ideal if you need hands‑on procedures or coordinated ongoing biologic management through a single team.
Teledermatology can be a fast track, but always verify it can handle advanced therapies and work with your specific Medicaid plan.
Caveats and Counterpoints
No model is perfect, and real‑world patient experiences matter just as much as the glossy bullet points.
Systemic barriers don’t vanish just because you have a $0 copay. Medicaid patients still face step therapy, formulary restrictions, and prior‑auth delays that can stall biologic starts, as a 2026 MDPI review documented for atopic dermatitis.
And while the IMPACT registry sounds promising, it’s a research project — not a published clinical trial — so outcome data aren’t yet peer‑reviewed.
Geography is another constraint: AndHealth’s zero‑copay promise applies only to Ohio and Indiana Medicaid. Always verify in‑network status before you book.
Finally, this list spotlights the strongest integrated model and the most reliable provider types for Medicaid patients; it doesn’t capture every qualified dermatologist out there.
Final Takeaways
The access crisis is real — only one‑third of dermatologists accept Medicaid, and the administrative hurdles hit Medicaid patients the hardest. But you do have options.
AndHealth offers a fully integrated care team, $0 copay, 1–2-week access, and in-house pharmacy support — all in‑network with Ohio and Indiana Medicaid. For everyone else, academic medical centers, FQHCs, and teledermatology platforms can each open a path to specialist care, as long as you ask the right questions up front.
If you’re in Ohio or Indiana, visit AndHealth’s website to check eligibility and book a consult. Wherever you live, use this framework to vet providers: confirm Medicaid acceptance, ask about biologic prescribing and prior‑auth support, and don’t settle for a dermatologist who can’t navigate your plan.
Share this guide with anyone in the PsO, HS, or AD community who’s been turned away. Better care is possible; it just takes asking the right questions and knowing where to look.
