No. Sunshine Health says ABA is covered for its Medicaid members when it is medically necessary and approved in advance. What it paused, starting October 1, 2025, was adding new practitioners to existing ABA provider groups. It ended that pause in Regions E and F on March 1, 2026, but has announced no end for Palm Beach County (Region G).
What exactly was paused?
Sunshine Health posted a notice on September 3, 2025: starting October 1, 2025, it would temporarily pause adding new practitioners (the analysts and technicians who deliver therapy) to existing behavior analysis provider groups. Sunshine said it needed to make sure its current groups and credentialed practitioners were fully loaded in its systems. It said it may still enroll providers where it sees a need, and that the pause did not apply to Regions A and B.
Agencies already contracted with Sunshine can ask for an exception to add a practitioner for a specific child.
Did the pause end?
Only in some regions. On February 20, 2026, Sunshine said it would resume enrolling new practitioners in AHCA Regions E and F on March 1, 2026, lifting the pause "in those regions only." Palm Beach County is in Region G. As of October 21, 2026, Sunshine's behavior analysis provider news showed no notice ending the pause there, and its exception page still referred to the "current BA enrollment pause."
What does it mean for my child's ABA?
The pause is about providers, not your child's benefit. Sunshine's provider guide says behavior analysis is covered for all Sunshine Health Medicaid members. All ABA services need prior authorization, and a first request needs a referral from a qualified physician or psychologist and a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation. A request can cover up to six months. Since August 1, 2026, new requests also need a form from the child's primary care provider.
The pause can affect openings. Sunshine asks contracted agencies that cannot take a new child with their current staff to refer the child to another in-network provider, with help from Sunshine's case management. Paramount Behavior accepts Florida Medicaid; we work with Sunshine Health in Palm Beach County and are taking new families, with no waitlist on our side. Call and we will check your child's coverage for free, usually the same day.
Who can I call?
- Sunshine Health Member Services: 1-866-796-0530 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern) or the number on your child's ID card; the plan can help you find an in-network ABA provider
- Florida Medicaid Helpline: 1-877-254-1055, if you are having trouble getting ABA services
- If Sunshine denies or reduces a request, you have 60 days from the date of the notice to file an appeal with the plan
Can I still get ABA with Sunshine Health?
Sunshine says behavior analysis is covered for its Medicaid members when it is medically necessary and approved ahead of time. The pause limits which practitioners agencies can add, not the benefit itself.
Where can I read the notices?
On Sunshine Health's newsroom: the pause notice (September 3, 2025) and the notice that enrollment resumes in Regions E and F (February 20, 2026).
General information as of October 21, 2026, not advice for your child or legal advice. Notices change; confirm with your plan.
Sources
- Behavior Analysis Services Information. Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), accessed October 21, 2026.
- Behavior Analysis (BA) — Provider Quick Reference Guide. Sunshine Health, accessed October 21, 2026.
- Sunshine Health to Temporarily Pause Enrollment of Behavioral Analysis (BA) Providers. Sunshine Health, accessed October 21, 2026.
- Sunshine Health to Resume Enrolling Behavior Analysis (BA) Providers in Regions E and F. Sunshine Health, accessed October 21, 2026.
- Contracted Provider BA Network Exception Request. Sunshine Health, accessed October 21, 2026.