The question was recently raised on several listservs that prohibit
professionals from posting as to whether GA Medicaid pays for ABA
Therapy. Additionally, there is apparently a Channel 11 Blog on Autism
that has Easter Seals and Marcus folks answering questions and this
question was raised there and the person was told that Medicaid should
pay for ABA and to check with local Regional Board for further
information.

The answer, as a Medicaid provider and Board Certified Behavior
Analyst, is NO as far as we have been able to determine after MANY
back-and-forths with GA DCH.

I am always open to additional information on this issue but as of
earlier this year the answer remained NO unless the services were
provided by a therapist who was recognized by Medicaid (had a Medicaid
# of their own) but Medicaid does not certify or provide a # to ABA
therapists. So if, for example, your Speech therapist has a medicaid #
and personally provides ABA it has been the case that the ABA was
covered. However, when the therapy is provided, as it most often is,
by someone who is not a licensed professional under GA Law the answer
has always been No to the best of our experience.

Given that ABA is the best research supported treatment for Autism
available it would be wonderful if insurers changed their stance on ABA.