Partly. KidCare's Medicaid program is Florida Medicaid, which covers medically necessary ABA for eligible children under 21, with prior authorization. Florida Healthy Kids, the KidCare program for ages 5 through 18, does not cover ABA, according to Florida KidCare. For MediKids and the Children's Medical Services Health Plan, ask your child's plan how it handles ABA.
What is Florida KidCare?
KidCare is Florida's umbrella for children's coverage through Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). According to the state's evaluation for calendar year 2024, it has four main components: Medicaid, for children under 19 whose family income is below the CHIP threshold; MediKids, for ages 1 to 4; Florida Healthy Kids, for ages 5 to 18; and the Children's Medical Services (CMS) Health Plan, for children with special health care needs. At the end of 2024, 2.2 million children received care through KidCare.
Which part covers ABA?
Medicaid does. The Medicaid coverage policy (Rule 59G-4.125) covers behavior analysis for Florida Medicaid recipients under 21 who need it to address behavior that impairs a major life activity. It requires a referral with a physician's order and a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation. Every service needs prior authorization, usually from the child's Medicaid health plan; since February 1, 2025, those plans pay for it.
Florida Healthy Kids does not. Florida KidCare's benefits page says Healthy Kids, for children ages 5 through 18, does not cover applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy services.
For MediKids, state law gives children the same benefits Florida Medicaid gives children, and MediKids members are enrolled in Medicaid health plans. The sources we checked do not say how ABA is handled under MediKids or the CHIP-funded part of the CMS Health Plan, so ask the plan.
What can I do if my child is on Healthy Kids?
- Ask the plan which mental health services, such as therapy, it does cover; KidCare lists mental health services among its benefits
- Ask the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), which decides Medicaid eligibility, whether your child could qualify for Medicaid; it depends on age and family income
- If Medicaid is an option, ask your pediatrician about the referral and the comprehensive diagnostic evaluation that Medicaid requires for ABA
Does Paramount Behavior accept KidCare?
Paramount Behavior accepts Florida Medicaid and private insurance. In Palm Beach County we work with Molina Healthcare, Sunshine Health, Children's Medical Services Health Plan and Community Care Plan, and Paramount has clients authorized for ABA under the CMS Health Plan. We check your child's coverage for free, usually the same day you call. If your child has private insurance or a plan not listed here, call anyway and we will check it.
Can a child be on KidCare and Medicaid?
Yes. Medicaid is one of KidCare's four components, for children under 19. Which component a child is in depends on age, family income and, for the CMS Health Plan, health needs.
Is ABA covered after age 18?
Florida Medicaid covers behavior analysis for eligible recipients under 21, according to AHCA. For people 21 and older, AHCA points to the iBudget Waiver.
General information as of October 21, 2026, not advice for your child. Eligibility depends on age, family income and health needs; confirm with KidCare or DCF.
Sources
- Benefits. Florida KidCare (Florida Healthy Kids Corporation), accessed October 21, 2026.
- Florida Medicaid Behavior Analysis Services Coverage Policy (Rule 59G-4.125, F.A.C.), December 2024. Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), accessed October 21, 2026.
- Behavior Analysis Services Information. Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), accessed October 21, 2026.
- Florida KidCare Program Evaluation Report, Calendar Year 2024. Florida AHCA / University of Florida Institute for Child Health Policy, accessed October 21, 2026.
- Section 409.8132, Florida Statutes: Medikids program component. The Florida Legislature, accessed October 21, 2026.