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<title>Does Health First Colorado (Colorado Medicaid) Cover ABA Therapy? | EPSDT, RAEs, In-Home ABA | Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora | Achieving Stars Therapy</title>
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<span class="location-badge">Colorado Medicaid</span>
<h1>Does Health First Colorado Cover ABA Therapy?</h1>
<p>Yes. Health First Colorado covers in-home ABA therapy for children under 21 with an autism diagnosis. Achieving Stars Therapy works with all 7 Regional Accountable Entities (RAEs).</p>
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<div class="info-label">Program</div>
<div class="info-value">Health First CO</div>
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<div class="info-label">Medicaid</div>
<div class="info-value">Accepted</div>
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<div class="info-label">Cap</div>
<div class="info-value">None (EPSDT)</div>
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<div class="info-value">2 Weeks</div>
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<p>Health First Colorado (Colorado Medicaid) covers ABA therapy for children with autism under the federal EPSDT benefit. Coverage applies to children up to age 21, has no annual dollar cap, and requires only that a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) document medical necessity. Achieving Stars Therapy is an in-home Health First Colorado provider for families in <a href="/location/city/aba-therapy-denver-co">Denver</a>, <a href="/location/city/aba-therapy-colorado-springs-co">Colorado Springs</a>, <a href="/location/city/aba-therapy-aurora-co">Aurora</a>, and across <a href="/location/states/aba-therapy-colorado">Colorado</a>.</p>
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<h2>How does Health First Colorado cover ABA therapy?</h2>
<p>Health First Colorado is administered through 7 Regional Accountable Entities (RAEs), each managing physical and behavioral health for one part of the state. Coverage is the same statewide, the RAE handles authorization, claims, and care coordination for your region. Achieving Stars Therapy is contracted across all 7 RAEs.</p><p>The benefit flows through EPSDT (Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment), the federal Medicaid rule that requires every state to cover medically necessary services for children under 21. EPSDT has no annual cap, no session cap, and no age cap below 21.</p>
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<h2>What are the 7 Colorado RAEs?</h2>
<ul><li>Region 1, Rocky Mountain Health Plans</li><li>Region 2, Northeast Health Partners</li><li>Region 3, Colorado Access (Adams, Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert)</li><li>Region 4, Health Colorado (Pueblo and southeast)</li><li>Region 5, Colorado Access (Denver County)</li><li>Region 6, Colorado Community Health Alliance (Boulder, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Gilpin, Jefferson)</li><li>Region 7, Colorado Community Health Alliance (El Paso, Park, Teller)</li></ul><p>Achieving Stars Therapy verifies your RAE during the free benefits check.</p>
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<h2>How big is Health First Colorado?</h2>
<p>Health First Colorado covers more than 1.5 million Coloradans, including roughly 600,000 children, according to the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. It is the largest single funder of pediatric autism services in the state. The CDC reports that 1 in 36 U.S. children is identified with autism, which means thousands of Colorado families are eligible for ABA coverage they have not yet activated.</p>
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<h2>How does Achieving Stars Therapy handle Health First Colorado authorization?</h2>
<ol class="steps-list" style="counter-reset:step;list-style:none;padding-left:0"><li><strong>Free 15-minute consultation.</strong> Call (833) 666-3115.</li><li><strong>Benefits verification.</strong> Achieving Stars Therapy contacts your RAE within 24-48 hours.</li><li><strong>In-home BCBA assessment.</strong> A BCBA evaluates your child and writes the treatment plan.</li><li><strong>Prior authorization.</strong> Filed with your RAE. Standard turnaround 14-30 business days.</li><li><strong>In-home ABA begins.</strong> Most families start within 2 weeks of approval.</li></ol>
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<h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>
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<h3>Does Health First Colorado cover in-home ABA?</h3>
<p>Yes. In-home ABA is the recommended setting for most pediatric cases and is fully covered under EPSDT. Achieving Stars Therapy is in-home only across Colorado.</p>
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<h3>How many ABA hours will Health First Colorado approve?</h3>
<p>Authorization is based on medical necessity from the BCBA assessment. Typical authorizations range from 10 to 40 hours per week.</p>
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<h3>Do I need to be in a specific RAE region to qualify?</h3>
<p>No. Coverage is the same across all 7 RAEs. Achieving Stars Therapy is contracted with each one.</p>
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<h3>Can I switch ABA providers under Health First Colorado?</h3>
<p>Yes. Achieving Stars Therapy handles the transition and re-authorization at no cost to you.</p>
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<h3>What if my child does not have an autism diagnosis yet?</h3>
<p>Health First Colorado covers diagnostic evaluations under EPSDT. Achieving Stars Therapy can refer you to a diagnostic provider.</p>
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<h2>Start Health First Colorado ABA with Achieving Stars Therapy</h2>
<p>Free benefits check. Achieving Stars Therapy files the paperwork. In-home across Colorado.</p>
<a href="https://www.achievingstarstherapy.com/contact" class="cta-button">Book Your Free Consultation</a>
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<div class="cta-item-label">Call</div>
<div class="cta-item-value"><a href="tel:8336663115">(833) 666-3115</a></div>
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<div class="cta-item-label">Email</div>
<div class="cta-item-value"><a href="mailto:info@achievingstarstherapy.com">info@achievingstarstherapy.com</a></div>
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<div class="cta-item-label">States</div>
<div class="cta-item-value">CO, KS, NH, SC</div>
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<p class="cta-note">Free consultation. BCBA-led care, in-home, kids through teens.</p>
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