You probably have more questions than anyone has time to answer. Here are the 21 we hear most from families in Palm Beach County, answered plainly. Where a fact comes from Florida Medicaid, a law or a professional body, we say so and list the source at the bottom.
How to use this page
Read what you need and skip the rest. Insurance rules change and every plan is different, so treat the answers on coverage as a guide, and confirm them against your own plan. We check your plan for free, so you do not have to decode it alone.
We do not promise results, outcomes or timelines, and neither should anyone else. A good ABA program shows its progress with data you can read.
Before you call
You do not need a perfect file. It helps to have your child's insurance card or Medicaid ID, any evaluation report you already have, and a few notes on what worries you. If you are missing something, say so. We tell you what is needed and where to get it.
Ready to talk?
Use the quick request form on this page or call (561) 421-0047. We are open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 7:30 PM and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and our team speaks English and Spanish.
How much does ABA therapy cost?
It depends on your plan. Medicaid families typically pay nothing for covered services. For private plans, deductibles, copays and limits vary. We verify your benefits for free and tell you what you may owe before therapy starts.
Does insurance cover ABA in Florida?
Often, yes. Florida Medicaid covers it for eligible children under 21 when it is medically necessary. For private insurance, Florida law (section 627.6686) applies to certain fully insured group plans; individual, small-employer and self-funded employer plans can follow different rules. Coverage and limits depend on your plan, so a free benefits check is the only way to know. We do that check for you.
How does Florida Medicaid cover ABA?
Medicaid needs a written doctor's order, a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation led by a licensed practitioner, and prior authorization. The provider sends the request to your child's Medicaid plan, and the plan decides if the service is medically necessary.
Which insurance plans do you work with?
Florida Medicaid, including Molina Healthcare, Sunshine Health, Children's Medical Services Health Plan and Community Care Plan. For private plans such as Aetna, Cigna, Florida Blue and UnitedHealthcare, we can check your benefits. If your plan is not on the list, call us anyway.
What age does my child need to be?
Florida Medicaid covers behavior analysis for eligible people under 21. Florida's private-insurance autism law generally applies to children under 18, or 18-year-olds still in high school who were diagnosed by age 8. Tell us your child's age on the call and we will check what applies.
How many hours a week of therapy will my child get?
There is no single number. The BCBA recommends hours based on your child's needs and goals, and your insurance or Medicaid plan decides what it approves. Hours are reviewed as your child progresses.
Who comes to my home?
A Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) does the day-to-day sessions, supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). The BCBA designs the plan and reviews the data. We will tell you who will be working with your child before they start.
Does my child have to be in a special room?
No. A table, a few favorite toys and a space with few distractions are enough to begin. The work happens inside your normal routines.
Can my child get ABA at school?
Often, yes, if the school agrees and your plan authorizes it. Florida law (section 1003.572) lets private ABA providers hired by parents observe and provide services at school, with the teacher's and principal's consent on time and place.
Do I have to be in the room during sessions?
You do not need to be present for every session. Many parents stay close at first and step back later. What matters is parent involvement, which means learning the strategies and sharing what you see at home.
What is parent training?
Time with the BCBA where you learn the same strategies the therapist uses, so progress continues at dinner, in the car and at bedtime. Sunshine Health's Medicaid policy expects providers to involve parents and document it.
Is there a waitlist?
We have no waitlist: there are openings, and we book the free initial consultation as soon as you call. After that, the paperwork (the doctor's referral, a diagnostic evaluation, and insurance or Medicaid authorization) and your family's schedule set the pace. We cannot promise an exact date.
Does my child need a diagnosis first?
For Medicaid and most private plans, yes, you generally need a diagnosis or a comprehensive evaluation that supports medical necessity, plus a doctor's order. Your plan has its own rules.
What if we do not have an evaluation yet?
Call us anyway. Free public options exist in Palm Beach County, including Early Steps for children from birth to 36 months and FAU CARD for any age. We can point you to them while you gather paperwork.
How long does ABA therapy last?
No honest provider can promise a timeline. It depends on your child's needs, age and goals. Many plans ask for a new assessment and an updated plan about every six months, and the BCBA uses data to decide whether to continue, change or end services.
Is it safe? Who are the therapists?
Our therapists are RBTs supervised by BCBAs, and you can ask to see credentials. Florida law requires private providers who work at a school to meet the state's background screening requirements. Ask any provider how they screen and train their staff.
Does ABA use punishment?
The BACB Ethics Code tells behavior analysts to prioritize positive reinforcement. It allows restrictive or punishment-based procedures only after less restrictive ones have not worked. Ask any provider how they handle hard behavior.
Is ABA the same as childcare or a school aide?
No. ABA is a treatment with a written plan, measured goals and BCBA supervision. Sunshine Health's policy says Medicaid does not pay for supervision, babysitting, companion or chaperone services, or acting as a one-on-one aide.
Can I switch providers?
Yes. Florida Medicaid says parents choose the behavior analysis provider, and your child's plan can help. A new provider submits its own authorization request, so ask how the handoff works and give yourself some lead time.
Do you offer ABA in Spanish?
Yes. Our team is bilingual in English and Spanish, and the call, the paperwork, parent training and sessions can all be in Spanish.
What happens on the first call?
It is a free consultation booked as soon as you call. You tell us what you are seeing. Then we check your benefits for free, usually the same day, and a BCBA meets your child. Therapy then begins at home, at a pace set by the paperwork and your family's schedule.