January 2017 ~

Effective January 1, Health Alliance Connect, the sole Medicaid managed care plan covering applied behavioral analysis (ABA) services for children with autism in central Illinois, has withdrawn from the state’s Medicaid program increasing barriers to access to ABA.

Illinois does not require Medicaid coverage of ABA therapy, although contracted Medicaid plans have the option to do so. Advocacy groups report it has been difficult to persuade MCOs to cover ABA.

Some not-for-profit programs, such as Springfield, Illinois based The Autism Program, have stated they will make efforts to continue ABA services for some Medicaid beneficiaries, but expect the present state budget crisis and funding uncertainties will limit the number of beneficiaries they will be able to serve.

 

Source(s): Lincoln Courier; News-Gazette; Health Alliance;