How long is the wait for ABA therapy in Palm Beach County?

Is there an official wait time?

As of October 2026 we did not find an official published wait-time figure for ABA in Palm Beach County or Florida. The closest measured number comes from a survey fielded in Michigan from January to April 2021. Of the 48 caregivers who had sought ABA, nearly 75% said their child spent time on a waitlist, for an average of about 5.5 months. The authors note the sample was small and not diverse, and Michigan is not Florida, so treat it as a rough guide only.

In Florida, a parent told the state's new ABA task force in August 2026 that families already face "agonizingly long waitlists" just to be approved for ABA (WLRN, August 2026). NBC 6 reported in May 2026 that families describe longer waitlists and fewer providers, but it gave no waiting times.

Why do families wait?

• Prior authorization. Since February 1, 2025, Medicaid pays for ABA through managed care plans, and AHCA says all ABA needs prior authorization before it is reimbursed.
• Paperwork in a set order. AHCA lists a written doctor's order, a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation (CDE), choosing a provider, and the provider's request to the plan, which then decides.
• Changes in provider networks. WLRN reported in August 2026 that some providers were being dropped and others had stopped treating Medicaid clients. It also reported that AHCA told plans in an April 17 letter that including ABA in their value-based contracts with providers "has the potential to result in access issues."
• Getting the evaluation. If your child does not have a CDE yet, getting one can add its own wait. Ask each evaluator for its current wait and whether it takes your insurance.

How can I shorten my wait?

• Get the paperwork moving first: the doctor's written order and a copy of the CDE. AHCA says a CDE copy must go with the authorization request.
• Call more than one provider and ask four things: When could therapy start? Do you serve my area? Do you take my plan? Is parent training available while I wait?
• Ask your child's plan for in-network providers. AHCA says the plan can help you find one.
• Keep the dates of every call and form. If a request is denied or delayed, a dated record helps you and your provider follow up.

How long does it take to start with Paramount Behavior?

Paramount Behavior is in Greenacres, serves Palm Beach County in English and Spanish, and provides therapy at home and at school. We have no waitlist on our side and we have openings, and we schedule the initial consultation as soon as you call. We also check your child's coverage for free, usually the same day. After that, the pace is mostly set by paperwork (the doctor's referral, the diagnostic evaluation and the insurance or Medicaid authorization) and your family's schedule. We cannot promise a date before we know your insurance and your child's paperwork. Call (561) 421-0047.