The Short Answer on Insurance Coverage
Achieving Stars Therapy accepts Medicaid, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Anthem BCBS, and Tricare. Medicaid covers 100% of ABA therapy with no out-of-pocket cost. Private insurance plans typically cover a significant portion, though your deductible or copay depends on your specific plan. We handle the authorization process for you.
We serve families across Colorado, New Hampshire, Kansas, and South Carolina. If you're not sure whether your plan qualifies, our intake team can verify benefits before you commit to anything.
Insurance Plans We Accept
We're in-network with the following insurers across all four of our service states:
Medicaid is available as either a primary or secondary insurance. When it's secondary, it often covers what your primary plan doesn't, which can mean zero cost to your family. Not sure which situation applies to you? That's exactly what our intake team sorts out during the verification step.
What Does ABA Therapy Actually Cost?
For most families, the honest answer is: not much, and sometimes nothing at all. Here's how it typically breaks down:
ABA therapy is covered as a medical benefit under most insurance plans, not just as an add-on. The actual session cost depends on how many hours your child's treatment plan recommends and what your insurance has authorized, not something we can quote in a vacuum. Once we verify your benefits, we'll give you a clear picture before anything starts.
Where We Accept Insurance
We provide in-home ABA therapy in four states, and we're in-network with major insurers across all of them:
Colorado
Medicaid + all major plans
New Hampshire
Medicaid + all major plans
Kansas
Medicaid + all major plans
South Carolina
Medicaid + all major plans
Our authorization and intake teams are familiar with the specific Medicaid programs in each state, including the timelines and documentation requirements. That matters because Medicaid authorization for ABA can vary a lot by state, and we navigate that for you.
How the Insurance Process Works
From the moment you reach out, our team handles the insurance side. Here's the actual sequence:
- Intake call Our team contacts you, answers questions, and collects basic information about your child's diagnosis and insurance.
- Benefits verification We verify your coverage and confirm what's authorized before anything moves forward. No surprises.
- Authorization submission We submit to your insurer right away. Authorization typically comes back within 1 day to 2 weeks, depending on the plan.
- BCBA assessment Once authorized, your child's BCBA conducts an initial assessment to understand their needs and build a treatment plan.
- Treatment plan approval The completed plan is submitted to insurance for final approval to begin direct therapy sessions.
- Therapy begins Services start in your home, typically within 1 to 4 weeks of your initial contact, with no waitlist.
Why Families Choose Achieving Stars
No Waitlist
Most ABA providers make families wait months. We're built around starting quickly. Once insurance authorizes, we begin.
Medicaid Accepted in All 4 States
Medicaid coverage for in-home ABA isn't universal. We're actively in-network across Colorado, New Hampshire, Kansas, and South Carolina.
BCBA-Supervised, Every Case
Every treatment plan is built and supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Your child's plan is specific to them, not a template.
Weekly Parent Guidance
Your BCBA meets with you weekly or every other week so you're never in the dark. Progress updates, questions, and skill coaching are part of the model.
Play-Based, In-Home Model
Therapy happens in your child's natural environment. That's not just convenient, it's how skills generalize more effectively. Learn about our play-based approach.
Session Notes You Can Access
Every session note is added to your child's account. Upon request, caregivers get full access to view notes at any time.
Insurance Questions Parents Ask
Do I need a formal autism diagnosis before insurance will cover ABA?
Yes. A documented ASD diagnosis is required for insurance authorization. If your child hasn't been formally evaluated yet, see our pages on ADOS-2 assessments and diagnostic services for more information on that process.
What if my child has a dual diagnosis, like autism and ADHD?
Dual diagnoses are common and don't disqualify a child from ABA coverage. We regularly work with children who have co-occurring conditions like ADHD, Down syndrome, and others alongside autism. Your BCBA's assessment will account for the full picture. You can also read more about ABA for ODD and related diagnoses.
How long does insurance authorization take?
Typically between 1 day and 2 weeks, depending on your insurer. Medicaid tends to be faster. We submit promptly and follow up on your behalf so nothing sits idle.
Is there a copay or deductible for ABA therapy?
It depends on your plan. Medicaid as a primary or secondary insurer often eliminates out-of-pocket costs entirely. Private insurance plans vary, and your specific deductible and copay will depend on your individual coverage. We verify this during intake before services begin.
Can older children or teens get coverage for ABA?
Yes. There's no upper age limit on ABA therapy, and insurance coverage doesn't typically restrict by age either. Research suggests earlier intervention tends to produce stronger outcomes, but therapy at older ages still shows meaningful benefit. See our page on ABA therapy for teens for more.
Ready to Check Your Coverage?
Our intake team verifies your insurance and walks you through the next steps. There's no obligation and no waitlist.