Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a common treatment or therapy for people with autism. Some health insurance plans will pay for this.
MassHealth will cover ABA for people who are:
- Under 21 and have MassHealth Standard or MassHealth CommonHealth
- Under 19 and have MassHealth Family Assistance (Note that this is not the same as Premium Assistance)
Certain private health insurers started to cover ABA therapy in 2011, under a Massachusetts law called ARICA (Act Relative to Insurance Coverage for Autism). MassHealth started to cover ABA in 2015.
You can get ABA services through MassHealth, but you'll need prior authorization.
Here's how to get coverage for ABA:
- Find an ABA provider. See our Resource Directory to search for providers near you. (Go to Tools at the top of your screen or look below this Guide.)
- Have your ABA provider contact MassHealth at 617-847-3786 to request prior authorization for ABA.
Sources:Autism Insurance Resource Center,The Arc of MA, MADept. of Developmental Services