Financing & Payment Options for ABA Therapy
Behavioral Innovations verifies your benefits within one business day and tells you your expected cost before your child's first appointment -so you can focus on care, not paperwork.
Most families pay far less than you might expect
Behavioral Innovations accepts most major insurance plans for both autism evaluations and ABA therapy. For families with in-network coverage, out-of-pocket cost is usually limited to a copay, a deductible, and coinsurance until the plan's out-of-pocket maximum is met.
For any remaining balance, Behavioral Innovations offers an interest-free internal payment plan of up to 24 months, and CareCredit financing with terms from 6 to 60 months.
What does ABA therapy cost without insurance?
ABA therapy in the United States is typically billed at $120 to $150 per hour of direct service, with some markets reaching $200 per hour. Most children receive 10 to 40 hours per week. At 20 hours per week, the pre-insurance sticker price is roughly $2,400 to $3,000 per week, or about $125,000 to $156,000 per year.
Very few families pay that. Those figures are the pre-insurance list price, not what an insured family owes.
An initial autism diagnostic evaluation is typically billed at $500 to $2,000 depending on the assessment battery and the state. Behavioral Innovations bills evaluations to insurance for the majority of the plans it accepts.
This page focuses on paying for ABA. For full cost benchmarking, see the linked post above.
What does ABA therapy cost in your state?
The cost of ABA therapy varies by state due to differences in provider rates, cost of living, Medicaid reimbursement schedules, and insurance mandates. In states with strong autism insurance laws and a competitive provider market, families with in-network coverage often pay only their deductible and copays. In states with fewer mandates or limited provider networks, out-of-pocket exposure can be higher.
Behavioral Innovations operates in six states and verifies your benefits before your child's first appointment, so you know what to expect before you commit. Select your state for a detailed breakdown of ABA therapy costs, accepted insurance plans, and Medicaid programs.
What will you actually pay with insurance?
Four variables set your out-of-pocket cost:
| Variable | Typical range | How it affects you |
|---|---|---|
| Deductible | $1,000 to $5,000 per plan year | Intensive ABA usually meets this within the first weeks of care |
| Copay | $20 to $50 per session | Applies per visit on many plans |
| Coinsurance | 0% to 20% after deductible | You pay this share until the out-of-pocket max is reached |
| Out-of-pocket maximum | $3,000 to $9,000+ per year | Once met, most plans cover ABA at 100% for the rest of the year |
Because ABA is delivered at high weekly volume, most families who hit their out-of-pocket maximum do so early in the plan year and pay nothing further until the plan resets. The reset is the moment worth planning for, and it is the reason Behavioral Innovations' payment plans exist.
Does insurance cover ABA therapy?
Yes. All 50 states have laws requiring some level of insurance coverage for medically necessary ABA therapy for children with an autism diagnosis. Coverage limits, age caps, and prior-authorization rules vary by state and by plan type.
Behavioral Innovations is in-network with carriers across all six states it operates in. Select a state to see accepted plans.
Self-funded employer plans are governed by federal ERISA rules and are not bound by state autism mandates. If your employer self-insures, coverage depends on your plan document -not your state's law. Behavioral Innovations checks this during benefit verification.
Does Medicaid cover ABA therapy?
Yes, in every state where Behavioral Innovations operates. Federal EPSDT rules require state Medicaid programs to cover medically necessary treatment for children under 21, and ABA qualifies with an autism diagnosis and a physician referral.
Some states also operate developmental disability waivers that cover services beyond the standard benefit, often with a waitlist.
Does TRICARE cover ABA therapy?
Yes, through the TRICARE Autism Care Demonstration (ACD). Military families with a TRICARE-covered child who has an autism diagnosis can receive ABA therapy through an authorized ACD provider.
The ACD requires a referral from a TRICARE-authorized provider, periodic outcome measure testing, and re-authorization on a set schedule. Cost shares vary by TRICARE plan and sponsor status -active duty families generally have no cost share for ACD services.
Behavioral Innovations verifies your benefits within one business day and tells you your expected cost before your child's first appointment.
What if insurance does not cover the full cost?
Behavioral Innovations offers two payment paths. They can be used together.
| Internal payment plan | CareCredit | |
|---|---|---|
| WHO MANAGES IT | Behavioral Innovations billing team | CareCredit (Synchrony Bank) |
| INTEREST | None | 0% during promotional period; deferred interest applies if balance not paid in full by promo end date |
| TERM LENGTH | Up to 24 months | 6, 24, 36, 48, or 60 months |
| CREDIT CHECK | No credit application required | Yes -application through CareCredit |
| APPROVAL | Handled internally | Determined by CareCredit, not by Behavioral Innovations |
| WHAT IT COVERS | Balances owed to Behavioral Innovations | Eligible out-of-pocket costs including evaluations and therapy |
| BEST WHEN | You want no interest and no credit application | You need a term longer than 24 months |
Other ways to reduce what you pay
FSA and HSA
ABA therapy and autism evaluations are qualified medical expenses under IRS rules. Paying with pre-tax dollars from a Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account reduces effective cost by roughly your marginal tax rate. FSA funds are use-it-or-lose-it within the plan year; HSA funds roll over.
Medical expense tax deduction
Unreimbursed medical expenses above 7.5% of adjusted gross income are deductible if you itemize. Families paying substantial out-of-pocket ABA costs frequently clear that threshold. Speak with a tax professional.
Grant programs
Several national organizations award grants for autism treatment costs, including Autism Care Today, the UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation, ACT Today, and the MyGOAL Autism Grant. Award sizes and cycles vary. Behavioral Innovations' intake team can point you to current programs.
Appealing a denial
If your plan denies authorization or reduces approved hours, you have the right to appeal. Behavioral Innovations' billing team prepares and submits clinical documentation to support appeals at no cost to your family.
Single case agreements
If Behavioral Innovations is out of network with your plan, it may be possible to negotiate a single case agreement that applies in-network rates, particularly when no in-network ABA provider is available within a reasonable distance.
How Behavioral Innovations handles the money side
You do not need to understand your benefits before you call. Behavioral Innovations' intake advocates handle that step.
Call (855) 782-7822Benefit verification within one business day
Behavioral Innovations contacts your insurer, confirms coverage, and calls you with a written breakdown of expected cost before your child's first visit.
Prior authorizations submitted and tracked
The billing team files initial authorizations and renewals and flags expirations before they occur.
Claims filed and followed
Behavioral Innovations submits claims directly and works denials on your behalf.
Proactive contact when coverage changes
If your plan, employer, or Medicaid status changes mid-year, the billing team reaches out rather than waiting for a surprise balance.
Frequently asked questions
Does insurance cover ABA therapy?
Yes. All 50 states have laws requiring some level of insurance coverage for medically necessary ABA for children with autism. Limits and prior-auth rules vary by state and plan type.
Does insurance cover autism diagnostic evaluations?
Yes. All 50 states have laws requiring some level of insurance coverage for medically necessary ABA for children with autism. Limits and prior-auth rules vary by state and plan type.
How much will ABA therapy cost me out of pocket?
Behavioral Innovations offers an interest-free internal payment plan of up to 24 months and CareCredit financing with terms from 6 to 60 months for remaining balances.
Is the Behavioral Innovations payment plan really interest-free?
Our internal payment plan is managed directly with the Behavioral Innovations billing team, with interest-free terms available up to 24 months and no outside lender required.
What is CareCredit and how does it work for ABA therapy?
CareCredit is a healthcare credit card accepted for eligible out-of-pocket ABA costs. Families can prequalify online; Behavioral Innovations was the first ABA provider to partner with CareCredit.
Does Medicaid cover ABA therapy?
Yes. All 50 states have laws requiring some level of insurance coverage for medically necessary ABA for children with autism. Limits and prior-auth rules vary by state and plan type.
Does TRICARE cover ABA therapy?
Yes. All 50 states have laws requiring some level of insurance coverage for medically necessary ABA for children with autism. Limits and prior-auth rules vary by state and plan type.
Can I use my HSA or FSA for ABA therapy?
Yes. ABA therapy typically qualifies as a medical expense, so FSA and HSA funds can usually be used for eligible deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
How long does it take to find out what my costs will be?
Behavioral Innovations offers an interest-free internal payment plan of up to 24 months and CareCredit financing with terms from 6 to 60 months for remaining balances.
Do I need to have my finances figured out before I call?
Contact our intake team for details specific to your plan. We verify benefits at no charge and explain expected costs before care begins.
What if my insurance changes after we start?
ABA is typically billed around $120–$150 per hour before insurance. At 20 hours per week, the pre-insurance list price is roughly $2,400–$3,000 per week. Most insured families pay far less—usually deductible, copay, and coinsurance until the out-of-pocket maximum is met.
What if my insurance denies coverage?
Yes. All 50 states have laws requiring some level of insurance coverage for medically necessary ABA for children with autism. Limits and prior-auth rules vary by state and plan type.
Ready to Talk About Financing Your Child's Care?
Have questions about ABA therapy costs, insurance coverage, or payment options? Our team is here to help -with no pressure and no obligation.
- Speak with a real person on our billing team
- Get answers to cost and insurance questions
- Learn about next steps and payment options
- No cost, no obligation to enroll
Get Started: Contact Our Team
A benefits specialist will follow up to verify coverage at no charge.