https://www.abawiser.com/wire/feed.xmlThe Wire: Verified ABA Regulatory Updates | ABAWiserLive regulatory developments for ABA operators, tracked to primary law, with a running timeline of updates.2026-11-02T00:00:00ZTzvi Weiserhttps://www.abawiser.com/abouthttps://www.abawiser.com/wire/news/oklahoma-psychology-board-now-licenses-behavior-analysts-fees-renewal-date-and-a-notice-conflictOklahoma's Psychology Board now licenses behavior analysts: $300 BCBA application fee, April 30, 2027 renewal2026-11-02T00:00:00Z2026-11-02T00:00:00ZPrimary source: Oklahoma State Board of Examiners of Psychologists. The Oklahoma State Board of Examiners of Psychologists says on its applicant page that it oversees BCBA and BCaBA licensure beginning November 1, 2026. It lists non-refundable application fees of $300 (BCBA or BCBA-D) and $250 (BCaBA), and its renewal page says existing license records were transferred to it, with the first renewal deadline April 30, 2027. Its home page still tells licensees to keep dealing with the old board.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/news/oklahoma-aba-licensing-moves-to-the-psychology-board-on-november-1-2026-what-the-board-saysOklahoma's Psychology Board says ABA oversight moves to it on November 1, 20262026-10-29T00:00:00Z2026-10-29T00:00:00ZPrimary source: Oklahoma State Board of Examiners of Psychologists. The Oklahoma State Board of Examiners of Psychologists says oversight of applied behavior analysis moves to it on November 1, 2026 under Senate Bill 1557. It says there are no immediate changes to existing licenses and licensees should keep dealing with the Oklahoma Licensed Behavior Analyst Board until further notice.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/news/minnesota-attorney-general-medicaid-fraud-unit-executes-search-warrants-at-two-autism-providersMinnesota's Medicaid fraud unit executes search warrants at two autism providers2026-10-29T00:00:00Z2026-10-29T00:00:00ZPrimary source: Minnesota Attorney General's Office. The Minnesota Attorney General's Office says agents from its Medicaid Fraud Control Unit executed search warrants on October 29, 2026 at Iska, Inc. in St. Louis Park and Bright Horizon Therapy Center in Edina, working with the HHS Office of Inspector General and the FBI. Both provide autism (EIDBI) services.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/news/minnesota-dhs-extends-moratorium-on-new-eidbi-provider-agencies-through-april-30-2027Minnesota DHS extends its moratorium on new EIDBI provider agencies through April 30, 20272026-10-27T00:00:00Z2026-10-27T00:00:00ZPrimary source: Minnesota Department of Human Services. A Minnesota Department of Human Services notice dated October 27, 2026 says DHS received CMS approval to extend the temporary moratorium on enrolling new EIDBI provider agencies from November 1, 2026 through April 30, 2027, and that DHS may extend it in six-month increments. Agencies with a provisional license before December 31, 2026 may enroll new locations.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/new-york-cuts-medicaid-aba-technician-rate#entry-2026-10-26-new-york-fee-schedule-confirms-97153-at-9-63-per-unit-and-lists-the-other-aba-codesNew York fee schedule confirms 97153 at $9.63 per unit and lists the other ABA codes2026-10-26T00:00:00Z2026-10-26T00:00:00ZThe eMedNY ABA fee schedule, titled NYS Medicaid Applied Behavior Analysis Services Fee Schedule and carrying an effective date of October 1, 2026, lists CPT 97153, adaptive behavior treatment by protocol administered by a technician for one patient, at $9.63 per 15 minute unit. That confirms the figure in the August 2026 Medicaid Update, which our October 23 entry could not check against the schedule.
The same schedule lists $19.26 per unit for 97151, 97152, 97155 and 97156, and $3.31 per unit per member for the group codes 97154, 97157 and 97158. The schedule has no modifier or unit column, and each description states its unit.
The August 2025 Medicaid Update set the earlier steps for 97153 at $16.85 per unit from October 1, 2025 and $14.45 per unit from April 1, 2026, and set a minimum supervision standard of five percent of technician hours each month, with two face to face contacts, which the Update says also applies to managed care providers. Neither Update states a percentage. Measured against $19.26, the steps are 87.5%, 75% and 50%; that is our arithmetic. The August 2026 Update addresses fee for service only, and we have not seen how managed care plans price 97153.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/illinois-requires-every-aba-owner-to-be-a-licensed-analyst-or-divest-by-january-2027#entry-2026-10-26-illinois-repeal-bills-sb-3807-and-hb-5171-show-no-action-since-march-27-2026Illinois repeal bills SB 3807 and HB 5171 show no action since March 27, 20262026-10-26T00:00:00Z2026-10-26T00:00:00ZThe Illinois General Assembly's bill status for HB 5171 shows its last substantive action on March 27, 2026, when it was re-referred to the House Rules Committee under Rule 19(a). Two co-sponsors were added on April 1, 2026. The status shows no committee hearing, floor vote or Senate action.
The bill status for SB 3807 shows its last action on March 27, 2026, when it was re-referred to the Senate Assignments Committee under Rule 3-9(a). It shows no hearing, vote or passage in either chamber.
Neither repeal bill has advanced since the end of March, as shown when we checked on October 26, 2026. Section 150 remains in force, and Public Act 104-0618 did not amend it. The prudent reading remains to plan for the January 15, 2027 deadline as written.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/south-carolina-has-no-enacted-aba-license#entry-2026-10-23-south-carolina-act-186-sets-school-day-rules-for-private-aba-providers-it-does-not-create-a-licenseSouth Carolina Act 186 sets school-day rules for private ABA providers; it does not create a license2026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00ZHouse Bill 3974 (Act No. 186 of 2026), signed May 18, 2026, governs private providers of applied behavior analysis therapy in public schools. As read in the April 20, 2026 text of the bill, a private provider must be licensed by South Carolina and in good standing or, where state licensure is unavailable, certified by a national organization, and may not be an employee of a school district or the State Department of Education.
Districts must consider a parent's request for school-day services case by case, and a request does not entitle a student to services in the school. The State Board of Education must finalize a model policy by January 6, 2027, and districts must adopt it, or their own policy meeting its minimums, by July 1, 2027. The act does not license behavior analysts.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/north-carolina-enacts-medicaid-aba-rules-hb-696#entry-2026-10-23-north-carolina-house-bill-696-directs-a-rewrite-of-medicaid-aba-clinical-coverage-policy-8fNorth Carolina House Bill 696 directs a rewrite of Medicaid ABA Clinical Coverage Policy 8F2026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00ZHouse Bill 696 (Session Law 2026-1), the Medicaid and HHS adjustments act, includes Section 3C.18 on Medicaid coverage for ABA therapy, which requires the Department of Health and Human Services to update Clinical Coverage Policy 8F. The General Assembly's summary of the conference committee substitute, analyzed April 22, 2026, lists these required changes:
Services by a paraprofessional cannot be delivered by telehealth, and patient assessments must be in person. Observing and directing a paraprofessional may be done by telehealth, limited to no more than 50 percent of services provided to a beneficiary. Ten percent of paraprofessional services must be observed. Service plans of more than 16 hours a week are subject to approval. Paraprofessionals must be certified, with a 120 day grace period for new hires. Out-of-state professionals must enroll as in-State Medicaid providers.
The summary contains no ABA rate provisions. The enrolled act text, the section's effective date and the revised policy itself were not read for this entry.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/new-york-cuts-medicaid-aba-technician-rate#entry-2026-10-23-new-york-medicaid-sets-cpt-97153-for-unlicensed-technicians-at-9-63-per-unit-from-october-1-2026New York Medicaid sets CPT 97153 for unlicensed technicians at $9.63 per unit from October 1, 20262026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00ZThe August 2026 New York State Medicaid Update (Volume 42, Number 9) announces a reimbursement change for unlicensed individuals providing applied behavior analysis services under fee-for-service Medicaid. For CPT code 97153, reimbursement is reduced to $9.63 per unit, effective October 1, 2026.
The update says the change is authorized by the enacted budget for State Fiscal Year 2026-2027, and directs providers to the eMedNY Applied Behavior Analysts web page for the current fee schedule and policy guidelines. It does not state the prior rate or the size of the reduction. This entry rests on the Medicaid Update; the posted eMedNY fee schedule was not checked.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/arizona-committee-and-louisiana-sunset-repeal#entry-2026-10-23-louisiana-removes-the-july-1-2028-end-date-from-its-behavior-analyst-licensing-lawLouisiana removes the July 1, 2028 end date from its behavior analyst licensing law2026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00ZAct 872 of the 2026 Regular Session (House Bill 1076, Representative Muscarello) removes the termination date that existing law attached to the provisions governing the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board and the licensing of behavior analysts, which would have ended them on July 1, 2028. The act is effective August 1, 2026.
The legislative digest states that existing provisions on the board's duties and on licensing are not changed by the act, and identifies R.S. 37:3718 as the section repealed.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/colorado-creates-behavior-analyst-licensing-board#entry-2026-10-23-colorado-creates-a-behavior-analyst-licensing-board-individual-licensure-is-required-from-july-1-2028Colorado creates a behavior analyst licensing board; individual licensure is required from July 1, 20282026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00ZHouse Bill 26-1425, signed June 2, 2026, creates the Colorado behavior analyst licensing board in the Department of Regulatory Agencies, under the Division of Professions and Occupations. Starting July 1, 2028, an individual may not practice or offer to practice applied behavior analysis without a license from the board.
Applicants must hold a valid certification in good standing and pass a fingerprint-based criminal history check, and assistant behavior analysts must be supervised by a licensed behavior analyst. Practicing without a license is a class 2 misdemeanor. The regulation is scheduled for repeal on September 1, 2031, after a sunset review.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/bacb-2027-requirements-take-effect#entry-2026-10-23-bacb-2027-bcba-requirements-apply-from-january-1-2027-applications-under-the-current-rules-must-be-complete-by-december-31-2026BACB 2027 BCBA requirements apply from January 1, 2027; applications under the current rules must be complete by December 31, 20262026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00ZThe Behavior Analyst Certification Board states that revised BCBA and BCaBA certification requirements take effect January 1, 2027, and that applicants who want review under the current 2022 requirements must have a complete application, including payment and all required documents, received by December 31, 2026.
Under the 2027 BCBA requirements, an applicant uses one of two pathways: an accredited or recognized program, or coursework of 315 instructional hours in six content areas. Supervised fieldwork is 2,000 hours, or 1,500 hours under the concentrated option, and the exam is based on the BCBA Test Content Outline, 6th edition. The BACB's list of upcoming changes, updated October 16, 2026, shows Pathways 3 and 4 discontinued on January 1, 2027, and Pathway 1 as the only BCBA pathway from January 1, 2032.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/arizona-committee-and-louisiana-sunset-repeal#entry-2026-10-23-arizona-law-reshapes-the-behavior-analyst-committee-effective-december-31-2026Arizona law reshapes the behavior analyst committee, effective January 1, 20272026-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-10-23T00:00:00ZSenate Bill 1145 (Laws 2026, Chapter 148), approved by the Governor on June 19, 2026, amends A.R.S. §§ 32-2062, 32-2063 and 32-2091.15. The act takes effect from and after December 31, 2026, which is January 1, 2027. The State Board of Psychologist Examiners shrinks from ten members to eight, and must always include at least two behavior analysts in professional practice who also sit on the committee on behavior analysts.
The existing committee on behavior analysts, which A.R.S. § 32-2091.15 already establishes within the board, gains delegated authority. The board delegates to the committee its authority under A.R.S. §§ 32-2091.06, 32-2091.07 and 32-2091.09 over licensing and regulating behavior analysts, and must adopt substantive policy statements for each delegated authority. The committee has five members appointed by the Governor, all licensed behavior analysts in professional practice, and must obtain public input from licensees before making a final recommendation. The board continues to exist.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/oklahoma-aba-regulator-transfers-to-the-psychology-board#entry-2026-10-22-oklahoma-behavior-analyst-licensing-moves-to-the-psychology-board-on-november-1Oklahoma behavior analyst licensing moves to the Psychology Board on November 12026-10-22T00:00:00Z2026-10-22T00:00:00ZUnder Senate Bill 1557 (2026), responsibility for licensing and regulating behavior analysts moves from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to the Oklahoma State Board of Examiners of Psychologists on November 1, 2026. The Psychology Board will process license applications and renewals, keep licensing records, set rules and fees, run the required background checks, and investigate complaints.
The Psychology Board states that the education, credentialing, ethical and professional standards of each profession are preserved, and that there are no immediate changes to standards of practice or certification requirements. Licensees continue to deal with the Oklahoma Licensed Behavior Analyst Board until further notice. Board Certified Behavior Analysts and Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts must keep active BACB status and follow the BACB Professional and Ethical Compliance Code.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/news/georgia-state-senator-demands-insurers-rescind-rate-cuts-and-pause-provider-terminationsGeorgia state senator demands insurers rescind rate cuts and pause provider terminations2026-10-22T00:00:00Z2026-10-22T00:00:00ZReported by Georgia Public Broadcasting. Georgia Public Broadcasting reported that state Sen. Brian Strickland, speaking outside the Capitol on October 22, 2026, demanded that Medicaid insurers rescind rate cuts and end provider terminations until a network adequacy analysis is done. The report centers on the Amerigroup cut for foster children.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/colorado-day-treatment#entry-2026-10-22-colorado-day-treatment-licensure-is-due-by-august-1-2027Colorado day treatment: after the August 1, 2026 application date, licensure is due by August 1, 20272026-10-22T00:00:00Z2026-10-22T00:00:00ZHouse Bill 26-1425, signed June 2, 2026, set two dates for newly covered day treatment facilities: an application to the Colorado Department of Human Services by August 1, 2026, and licensure by August 1, 2027. With the first date past, August 1, 2027 is the operative date for these facilities. The Department of Human Services, not the Department of Public Health and Environment, sets the clinic licensing standards.
The state's public notice page says ABA clinic licensure is affected by HB26-1425 and directs licensure questions to the Department of Human Services Provider Services Unit. As of October 22, 2026, it lists no rulemaking dates, hearing dates or application process for ABA clinics.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/news/oklahoma-halted-medicaid-payments-to-mirabelle-care-then-a-court-resumed-themOklahoma halted Medicaid payments to Mirabelle Care, then a court resumed them2026-10-14T00:00:00Z2026-10-14T00:00:00ZReported by Behavioral Health Business. Behavioral Health Business reported that the Oklahoma Health Care Authority suddenly stopped all Medicaid payments to Mirabelle Care, formerly KidsChoice Therapy, and that the company won an early ruling that resumed payments. The article does not give the date of the halt.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/federal-auditors-are-sweeping-state-medicaid-aba-programs-and-the-refunds-are-stacking-up#entry-2026-10-12-cms-publishes-an-aba-toolkit-for-state-medicaid-programsCMS publishes an ABA toolkit for state Medicaid programs2026-10-12T00:00:00Z2026-10-12T00:00:00ZCMS's State Medicaid and CHIP Applied Behavior Analysis Toolkit, cover dated August 2026, states that oversight reviews across seven states, Colorado, Indiana, Wisconsin, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, and Nevada, have collectively reported at least $198.4 million in improper Medicaid ABA payments. The toolkit recommends states require treatment plans to accompany ABA reauthorization requests and have a process to evaluate treatment plan quality so plans do not read as copied across children. It flags high staffing ratios without clinical justification, for example two ABA providers working with one child at a time, as a billing flag. The toolkit is guidance for states, not a regulation; we did not review its supervision chapter.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/news/ocr-settles-right-of-access-case-with-a-pennsylvania-dental-practice-for-140000OCR settles a right of access case with a Pennsylvania dental practice for $140,0002026-10-08T00:00:00Z2026-10-08T00:00:00ZPrimary source: HHS Office for Civil Rights. HHS OCR announced on October 8, 2026 a $140,000 settlement with Dr. Linda L. Shen, doing business as Shen Smiles, P.C., a Pennsylvania dental practice, after finding it did not give a patient timely access to her records and did not reasonably safeguard protected health information.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/news/breaking-news-aba-reports-focused-behavior-solutions-filed-chapter-11-in-washingtonBreaking News ABA reports Focused Behavior Solutions filed Chapter 11 in Washington2026-10-08T00:00:00Z2026-10-08T00:00:00ZReported by Breaking News ABA. Breaking News ABA reported that Focused Behavior Solutions LLC, with locations in Walla Walla, Washington and Lincoln, Nebraska, filed for Chapter 11 (Subchapter V) on October 8, 2026 in the Eastern District of Washington, listing about $172,884 in assets and $528,898 in liabilities per the petition as the outlet describes it.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/news/florida-medicaid-reports-more-than-400-site-visits-focused-on-aba-adult-day-care-and-equipment-providersFlorida Medicaid reports more than 400 site visits focused on ABA, adult day care and equipment providers2026-10-06T00:00:00Z2026-10-06T00:00:00ZReported by Florida Phoenix, via States Newsroom. The Florida Phoenix reported on October 6, 2026 that Florida's Medicaid agency has made more than 400 onsite provider visits focused on durable medical equipment, adult day care and ABA, and has terminated 220 Medicaid providers since the start of the year. The figures cover all Medicaid providers, not ABA alone.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/news/breaking-news-aba-reports-learn-behavioral-unit-sued-to-block-masshealth-aba-overpayment-demandBreaking News ABA reports a LEARN Behavioral unit sued to block a MassHealth ABA overpayment demand2026-10-05T00:00:00Z2026-10-05T00:00:00ZReported by Breaking News ABA. Breaking News ABA reported that Autism Spectrum Therapies LLC, a LEARN Behavioral subsidiary, sued on September 23, 2026 to block a roughly $943,000 MassHealth overpayment demand for 2024 and to recover $117,000 already paid, challenging the 10 to 1 licensed to technician hours ratio method. We have not seen the complaint.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/news/amerigroup-cuts-georgia-aba-rates-30-for-foster-children-effective-september-1-2026Amerigroup cuts Georgia ABA rates 30% for foster children, effective September 1, 20262026-10-05T00:00:00Z2026-10-05T00:00:00ZReported by Georgia Recorder, via Cobb County Courier. The Georgia Recorder, republished by the Cobb County Courier on October 5, 2026, reported that Amerigroup, the only Georgia Medicaid insurer serving foster children, cut ABA reimbursement rates 30% for foster children effective September 1, 2026. It reports no rollback.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/news/new-york-medicaid-cuts-the-technician-aba-rate-to-9-63-per-unit-for-cpt-97153-effective-october-1-2026New York Medicaid cuts the technician ABA rate to $9.63 per unit for CPT 97153, effective October 1, 20262026-10-01T00:00:00Z2026-10-01T00:00:00ZPrimary source: New York State Medicaid Update, Vol. 42, No. 9 (August 2026). The New York State Medicaid Update for August 2026 and the eMedNY fee schedule set CPT 97153, ABA by unlicensed individuals and technicians, at $9.63 per unit from October 1, 2026. The fee schedule lists $19.26 for four other ABA codes. The state's August 2025 Update set $16.85 from October 1, 2025 and $14.45 from April 1, 2026. The notice addresses fee for service only.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/news/indiana-medicaid-stops-authorizing-aba-for-members-21-and-older-from-october-1-2026Indiana Medicaid stops authorizing ABA for members 21 and older from October 1, 20262026-10-01T00:00:00Z2026-10-01T00:00:00ZPrimary source: Indiana Health Coverage Programs, bulletin BT202627 (February 26, 2026). Indiana Health Coverage Programs bulletin BT202627, dated February 26, 2026, provides that for dates of service on or after October 1, 2026 ABA is no longer authorized or reimbursed for members 21 and older. It also cuts nongroup rates 6% from April 1, 2026, adds 4% from April 1, 2027, and sets a lifetime limit.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/news/arizona-ahcccs-replaces-by-report-pricing-with-set-rates-for-two-aba-codesArizona AHCCCS replaces By Report pricing with set rates for two ABA codes2026-10-01T00:00:00Z2026-10-01T00:00:00ZPrimary source: AHCCCS, FFY27 preliminary rates notice of public information. An Arizona AHCCCS preliminary rates notice for federal fiscal year 2027 says ABA codes 97156 and 97157 now have set rates instead of By Report pricing, and prices 97154 with the TJ modifier at $16.95 per 15 minute unit for community school settings. The notice describes fee for service rate changes effective October 1, 2026.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/news/breaking-news-aba-reports-hope-network-acquired-developmental-enhancement-behavioral-healthBreaking News ABA reports Michigan nonprofit Hope Network acquired Developmental Enhancement Behavioral Health2026-09-23T00:00:00Z2026-09-23T00:00:00ZReported by Breaking News ABA. Breaking News ABA reported on September 23, 2026 that Hope Network, a Michigan nonprofit, acquired Developmental Enhancement Behavioral Health, which has three West Michigan clinics and about 92 employees. Price and closing date were not disclosed.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/news/the-2027-cpt-code-set-adds-six-adaptive-behavior-codesThe 2027 CPT code set adds six adaptive behavior codes2026-09-10T00:00:00Z2026-09-10T00:00:00ZReported by ABA Coding Coalition. The ABA Coding Coalition reported that the AMA released the 2027 CPT code set on September 9, 2026, with six of its 299 new codes in the revised adaptive behavior services code set. Acuity News lists the six codes and reports a January 1, 2027 effective date.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/news/ebsa-field-assistance-bulletin-2026-03-narrows-mental-health-parity-enforcement-and-does-not-mention-autismEBSA Field Assistance Bulletin 2026-03 narrows mental health parity enforcement and does not mention autism2026-09-08T00:00:00Z2026-09-08T00:00:00ZPrimary source: U.S. Department of Labor. EBSA Field Assistance Bulletin 2026-03, dated September 8, 2026, says the agency will not pursue enforcement of the new portions of the 2024 mental health parity final rule and will focus on blanket mental health or substance use exclusions, medical necessity standards and review, and network adequacy. It does not mention autism or ABA.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/news/north-carolina-medicaid-removes-telehealth-for-technician-delivered-rb-bht-under-updated-policy-8fNorth Carolina Medicaid removes telehealth for technician-delivered RB-BHT under updated Policy 8F2026-08-31T00:00:00Z2026-08-31T00:00:00ZPrimary source: NC Medicaid. An NC Medicaid bulletin dated August 31, 2026 says updated Clinical Coverage Policy 8F, effective August 1, 2026, removes telehealth for paraprofessional RB-BHT services (CPT 97152 to 97154) and requires reauthorization every three months for plans over 16 hours a week.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/news/ocr-settles-a-right-of-access-case-with-a-california-eye-care-provider-for-50000OCR settles a right of access case with a California eye care provider for $50,0002026-08-27T00:00:00Z2026-08-27T00:00:00ZPrimary source: HHS Office for Civil Rights. HHS OCR announced on August 27, 2026 a $50,000 settlement with Azul Vision, Inc., a California eye care provider, over a patient's records request made in January 2023 that was not fulfilled until January 2025, after OCR opened its investigation. The agreement runs two years and requires an access request log.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/news/illinois-makes-its-health-care-transaction-notice-law-permanent-and-extends-it-to-private-equityIllinois makes its health care transaction notice law permanent and extends it to private equity2026-08-07T00:00:00Z2026-08-07T00:00:00ZReported by Reed Smith. Reed Smith reported that Illinois HB 5000 (Public Act 104-0782), signed on August 7, 2026, removes the sunset on the state's health care transaction notice law, widens the transactions it covers and extends it to private equity companies, effective January 1, 2027.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/news/breaking-news-aba-analysis-counts-40-states-and-dc-regulating-behavior-analysts-with-ten-holdoutsBreaking News ABA analysis counts 40 states and DC regulating behavior analysts, with ten holdouts2026-08-07T00:00:00Z2026-08-07T00:00:00ZReported by Breaking News ABA. Breaking News ABA published an analysis on August 7, 2026 saying 40 states and Washington, D.C. now regulate behavior analysts, citing the BACB tracker as of June 2026, and naming ten states without a dedicated behavior analyst license.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/news/alliance-health-contracts-with-cortica-for-physician-led-autism-care-in-raleigh-and-charlotteAlliance Health contracts with Cortica for physician-led autism care in Raleigh and Charlotte2026-08-06T00:00:00Z2026-08-06T00:00:00ZPrimary source: Alliance Health. Alliance Health's own post of August 6, 2026 announces a contract with Cortica, a physician-led autism services provider, for Medicaid Tailored Plan members in Raleigh and Charlotte, with a stated aim to reduce sole reliance on applied behavior analysis. Financial terms are not disclosed.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/news/cms-publishes-a-173-page-aba-toolkit-for-state-medicaid-programsCMS publishes a 173-page ABA toolkit for state Medicaid programs2026-08-05T00:00:00Z2026-08-05T00:00:00ZReported by Behavioral Health Business. CMS issued a non-binding State Medicaid and CHIP Applied Behavior Analysis Toolkit for states reviewing how they cover and oversee ABA, according to Behavioral Health Business. It says higher intensity services should not be authorized by default and finds no consensus on a set number of treatment hours.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/news/virginia-plans-a-20-hour-weekly-cap-on-medicaid-aba-pending-federal-approvalVirginia plans a 20 hour weekly cap on Medicaid ABA, pending federal approval2026-07-31T00:00:00Z2026-07-31T00:00:00ZPrimary source: Virginia DMAS, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Policy Changes. Virginia's Department of Medical Assistance Services, on a bulletin page last updated July 31, 2026, says the 2026 Appropriation Act directs it to limit Medicaid ABA to 20 hours per week per recipient, with an exception for documented medical necessity under EPSDT. The change awaits federal approval and has no effective date.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/illinois-requires-every-aba-owner-to-be-a-licensed-analyst-or-divest-by-january-2027#entry-2026-07-24-illinois-sb-712-becomes-public-act-104-0618-effective-july-24-2026Illinois SB 712 becomes Public Act 104-0618, effective July 24, 20262026-07-24T00:00:00Z2026-07-24T00:00:00ZSB 712 is now Public Act 104-0618. The Illinois General Assembly's Public Act page lists an effective date of July 24, 2026, and Section 99 of the Act provides that it takes effect upon becoming law. The Act amends Sections 20 and 70 of the Behavior Analyst Licensing Act and adds a new Section 150.1.
What it changes. New Section 70(a-5) provides that a member, partner, shareholder, director, officer, owner or agent of a business providing behavior analysis services who makes clinical patient care decisions without a license or exemption is deemed to have violated Section 70. Section 70(a) keeps the civil penalty of up to $10,000 per offense for unlicensed practice or holding oneself out as licensed. New Section 150.1 provides that public schools, school districts, charter schools and 501(c)(3) nonprofits may employ or contract with a licensed behavior analyst even if not every owner, operator or manager is licensed.
What it does not change. The Act does not amend or repeal Section 150 of the Behavior Analyst Licensing Act, the licensee ownership provision this dossier tracks, and it sets no divestiture date of its own. The Act's text contains no signing date.
What else it changes. Section 10 of the Act amends Section 3.6 of the Professional Service Corporation Act (805 ILCS 10/3.6), and Section 15 amends Section 13 of the Professional Limited Liability Company Act (805 ILCS 185/13), to add applied behavior analysis, by persons licensed under the Behavior Analyst Licensing Act, to the related professional services that may be combined in one professional entity. The Act does not say how a combined entity fits with Section 150's requirement that every owner of an ABA business hold a behavior analyst license.
What to do now. Treat Section 150 as the operative ownership rule and do not rely on the Act to relax it. Before forming or relying on a combined professional entity, get Illinois counsel's advice on how Section 150 applies.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/news/caresource-rescinds-its-georgia-therapy-rate-cut-for-some-providers-not-allCareSource rescinds its Georgia therapy rate cut for some providers, not all2026-07-21T00:00:00Z2026-07-21T00:00:00ZReported by Atlanta News First. Atlanta News First reported that CareSource rescinded a planned 20% reimbursement cut for some Georgia special needs therapy providers, and that the Georgia Department of Community Health described the rescission as targeted and not applicable to all providers in the network.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/illinois-requires-every-aba-owner-to-be-a-licensed-analyst-or-divest-by-january-2027#entry-2026-07-14-repeal-bills-pending-but-the-divestment-clock-keeps-runningRepeal bills pending, but the divestment clock keeps running2026-07-15T00:00:00Z2026-07-15T00:00:00ZWith roughly six months to the January 15, 2027 deadline, Section 150 remains in force. Two repeal bills, SB 3807 and HB 5171, are pending but have not passed, and the ownership mandate stays law until they do. Because restructuring an ownership stack reportedly takes about six months, an owner who is waiting for the repeal is now at the point where waiting and restructuring become mutually exclusive. The prudent reading is to plan for the deadline as if the repeal will not happen, and treat any repeal as upside rather than as a plan.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/news/new-york-omig-posts-its-medicaid-audit-protocol-for-abaNew York OMIG posts its Medicaid audit protocol for ABA2026-06-29T00:00:00Z2026-06-29T00:00:00ZPrimary source: New York Office of the Medicaid Inspector General, ABA protocol posting. The New York Office of the Medicaid Inspector General posted an Applied Behavior Analysis audit protocol on June 29, 2026. It lists 18 review steps covering the clinical record, referral, treatment plan, supervision, billing and licensure, and says it covers services from August 1, 2021 through June 25, 2026.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/news/cathay-capital-launches-an-aba-platform-ascendia-autism-care-with-a-20-center-founding-affiliateCathay Capital launches an ABA platform, Ascendia Autism Care, with a 20-center founding affiliate2026-06-29T00:00:00Z2026-06-29T00:00:00ZPrimary source: Cathay Capital. Cathay Capital announced the launch of Ascendia Autism Care, an ABA platform that begins with a founding affiliate operating 20 centers across eight states. The announcement says financial terms are not disclosed.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/colorado-day-treatment#entry-2026-06-27-capture-confirmedCapture confirmed in the enrolled act2026-06-27T00:00:00Z2026-06-27T00:00:00ZA statute level read of the signed act confirms the amended day treatment definition drops the headcount threshold from five children to three and adds a four hour daily floor. Center based clinics not previously captured must apply by August 1, 2026.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/georgias-dominant-medicaid-payer-cuts-aba-rates-20-with-no-exit-for-providers#entry-2026-06-25-lawmakers-confront-caresource-as-clinics-turn-away-patients-2Lawmakers confront CareSource as clinics turn away patients2026-06-26T00:00:00Z2026-06-26T00:00:00ZAt a state health committee hearing, Georgia lawmakers criticized CareSource over the reimbursement cuts, with advocates describing devastating effects in urban and rural areas alike. An investigation found that 113 Georgia counties rely on special needs therapists through CareSource, and that the change could affect at least 71 percent of the state's pediatric Medicaid network in some way. The Department of Community Health told lawmakers that CareSource is within its rights and that the department has no authority to stop the cut. The designated CareSource representative left the committee meeting early.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/news/havencrest-is-reported-to-be-exploring-a-sale-of-apara-autism-centersHavencrest is reported to be exploring a sale of Apara Autism Centers2026-06-18T00:00:00Z2026-06-18T00:00:00ZReported by Breaking News ABA (citing Axios Pro). Breaking News ABA reported on June 18, 2026, citing an earlier Axios Pro report, that Havencrest Capital Management is exploring a sale of Apara Autism Centers, with Piper Sandler running the process. The article says neither Havencrest nor Apara has confirmed it.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/news/massachusetts-attorney-general-settles-with-a-former-aba-provider-and-its-co-owners-for-up-to-778-703Massachusetts Attorney General settles with a former ABA provider and its co-owners for up to $778,7032026-06-05T00:00:00Z2026-06-05T00:00:00ZPrimary source: Massachusetts Attorney General's Office. The Massachusetts Attorney General's Office announced settlements on June 5, 2026 with a former Whitinsville ABA provider and its co-owners over allegations of billing MassHealth for services not provided or not properly documented. The office described them as allegations, not findings of wrongdoing.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/colorado-day-treatment#entry-2026-06-02-governor-polis-signs-house-bill-26-1425-into-lawGovernor Polis signs House Bill 26-1425 into law2026-06-02T00:00:00Z2026-06-02T00:00:00ZGovernor Jared Polis signed House Bill 26-1425 into law, creating the Colorado Behavior Analyst Licensing Board within the Division of Professions and Occupations. Coverage centered on the individual license taking effect July 1, 2028. The facility provisions, which take effect on passage rather than in 2028, went unremarked. The three week gap between the bill reaching the Governor and the signing drew no particular attention to the facility language buried in the child welfare title.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/colorado-day-treatment#entry-2026-05-28-bill-sent-to-the-governor-1Bill sent to the Governor2026-05-29T00:00:00Z2026-05-29T00:00:00ZFollowing passage in both chambers, the enrolled bill was transmitted to the Governor for signature. The enrolled text is the version that carries the amended day treatment facility definition and the August 1, 2026 application deadline for newly captured facilities.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/georgias-dominant-medicaid-payer-cuts-aba-rates-20-with-no-exit-for-providers#entry-2026-05-28-caresource-executive-we-do-not-need-all-these-providersCareSource executive: we do not need all these providers2026-05-28T00:00:00Z2026-05-28T00:00:00ZAt a Georgia Medicaid spring fair hosted by the Department of Community Health, providers confronted CareSource leadership. Asked why they should absorb a 20 percent cut, CareSource's vice president of market operations for Georgia, Dwayne Flowers, said the plan should have closed its network two years earlier and was moving to a quality focus program: "now it's to the point that we don't need all the providers, so we did reduce the rates." At least one pediatric therapy clinic announced it would close at the end of May because of the cut.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/colorado-day-treatment#entry-2026-05-15-passes-chambersBill passes both chambers2026-05-15T00:00:00Z2026-05-15T00:00:00ZHouse Bill 26-1425 clears the House 45 to 19 and the Senate 32 to 3, en route to the Governor's desk.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/colorado-day-treatment#entry-2026-05-13-house-passes-on-third-reading-45-to-19House passes on third reading, 45 to 192026-05-13T00:00:00Z2026-05-13T00:00:00ZThe House passed the bill on third reading by 45 to 19. The margin followed a genuinely contested path through committee, including a 6 to 5 vote in House Finance a few days earlier. The closeness of the committee votes concerned the licensure framework and appropriations, not the facility definition, which moved through the process without separate scrutiny.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/georgias-dominant-medicaid-payer-cuts-aba-rates-20-with-no-exit-for-providers#entry-2026-05-10-the-20-percent-cut-takes-effect-peach-state-follows-1The 20 percent cut takes effect; Peach State follows2026-05-11T00:00:00Z2026-05-11T00:00:00ZThe CareSource reduction to 80 percent of the Georgia Medicaid fee schedule took effect. Peach State Health Plan sent providers the same 20 percent cut days later, effective May 15. What is unusual, as trade coverage noted, is that these cuts come from the managed care organizations rather than the state, which sets Georgia apart from the state-level rate cuts seen elsewhere in the country.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/colorado-day-treatment#entry-2026-04-29-clears-first-house-committeeClears first House committee2026-04-29T00:00:00Z2026-04-29T00:00:00ZThe House Health and Human Services committee referred the bill onward by 8 to 5, the first of several committee steps. From introduction, the measure was framed and understood as a behavior analyst licensing bill. The amendment to the day treatment facility definition traveled inside it to enactment without ever becoming the headline.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/georgias-dominant-medicaid-payer-cuts-aba-rates-20-with-no-exit-for-providers#entry-2026-04-23-the-transition-freezes-incumbents-extended-through-june-2027The transition freezes: incumbents extended through June 20272026-04-23T00:00:00Z2026-04-23T00:00:00ZPending issuance of the final Notice of Award, DCH extended the current CMO contracts for Amerigroup, CareSource, and Peach State through June 30, 2027, with no confirmed member transition date. The appeals by Amerigroup and Peach State had been denied following a December 2025 hearing, so the replacement lineup of CareSource, Humana, Molina, and UnitedHealthcare stands, but providers keep billing the outgoing plans while the incoming ones are not yet credentialing or paying claims. The rate cuts arrived inside this limbo: the amendment economics run through an extension year in which the losing incumbents manage costs on contracts they are leaving.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/federal-auditors-are-sweeping-state-medicaid-aba-programs-and-the-refunds-are-stacking-up#entry-2026-04-20-cms-orders-all-50-states-to-submit-provider-revalidation-plans-1CMS orders all 50 states to submit provider revalidation plans2026-04-21T00:00:00Z2026-04-21T00:00:00ZCMS Administrator Mehmet Oz announced that all 50 state Medicaid programs must submit plans to revalidate their providers within 30 days, calling ABA billing a massive problem. In parallel, the House Energy and Commerce Committee opened investigations touching eleven states, and the Department of Justice brought criminal charges against the owners of a Minnesota based ABA center. The audit pressure, which began as four state reviews, is now a national program integrity push that reaches every state.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/georgias-dominant-medicaid-payer-cuts-aba-rates-20-with-no-exit-for-providers#entry-2026-03-26-caresource-issues-the-cut-by-certified-mail-no-negotiation-offeredCareSource issues the cut by certified mail, no negotiation offered2026-03-27T00:00:00Z2026-03-27T00:00:00ZCareSource Georgia delivered a Notice of Material Amendment to its provider agreements by certified mail, with no press release and no actuarial or programmatic justification. Effective May 11, reimbursement for all covered services would drop to 80 percent of the state Medicaid fee schedule. Providers had 45 days to object; silence counted as acceptance; objecting could trigger termination 90 days later. No negotiation window and no appeals process were offered.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/news/indiana-medicaid-will-require-aba-agencies-to-be-accredited-by-october-1-2027Indiana Medicaid will require ABA agencies to be accredited by October 1, 20272026-03-26T00:00:00Z2026-03-26T00:00:00ZPrimary source: Indiana Health Coverage Programs, bulletin BT202646 (March 26, 2026). Indiana Health Coverage Programs bulletin BT202646, dated March 26, 2026, says ABA agencies must be accredited by the Autism Commission on Quality or the Behavioral Health Center of Excellence. Existing group enrollments had to show they had started the process by August 1, 2026, and all providers must be accredited by October 1, 2027.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/federal-auditors-are-sweeping-state-medicaid-aba-programs-and-the-refunds-are-stacking-up#entry-2026-03-02-colorado-audit-77-8-million-improper-all-100-sampled-months-flaggedColorado audit: $77.8 million improper, all 100 sampled months flagged2026-03-02T00:00:00Z2026-03-02T00:00:00ZThe OIG found Colorado made at least $77.8 million in improper fee-for-service Medicaid ABA payments in 2022 and 2023, with another $207 million potentially improper, and recommended a $42.6 million federal refund. Every one of the 100 sampled enrollee-months contained an improper or potentially improper claim. Auditors estimated 1,500 to 2,000 technicians may have been working without the required 40-hour training, competency check, and supervision. Colorado's ABA spending had risen from $60.1 million in 2019 to $163.5 million in 2023. The state disputed the refund amount but agreed to issue additional billing guidance.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/illinois-requires-every-aba-owner-to-be-a-licensed-analyst-or-divest-by-january-2027#entry-2026-02-01-repeal-effort-introduced-sb-3807-and-hb-5171Repeal effort introduced: SB 3807 and HB 51712026-02-01T00:00:00Z2026-02-01T00:00:00ZTwo bills were introduced to repeal Section 150 and replace it with narrower language. Rather than requiring licensed ownership, the bills would provide that any owner, officer, agent, or other equity holder who makes clinical decisions regarding patient care without a license violates the Act. The bills also amend the Professional Service Corporation Act and the Professional Limited Liability Company Act to add applied behavior analysis to the professional services that licensed analysts may combine in a single professional entity. The Illinois Association for Behavior Analysis opposes repeal; the provider group IPAAQ supports it. The outcome is unresolved, and until it resolves, the existing ownership mandate governs.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/news/behavioral-framework-acquires-autism-etc-adding-tennessee-and-arizona-clinicsBehavioral Framework acquires Autism ETC, adding Tennessee and Arizona clinics2026-01-13T00:00:00Z2026-01-13T00:00:00ZReported by Behavioral Health Business. Behavioral Health Business reported that Behavioral Framework, backed by Renovus Capital Partners, acquired Autism Education and Therapy Center (Autism ETC), a Nashville provider with five clinics in Tennessee and Arizona. The purchase price was not disclosed.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/illinois-requires-every-aba-owner-to-be-a-licensed-analyst-or-divest-by-january-2027#entry-2026-01-01-section-150-becomes-lawSection 150 becomes law2026-01-01T00:00:00Z2026-01-01T00:00:00ZIllinois enacted the Behavior Analyst Licensing Act with Section 150, requiring that every owner and equity holder of an ABA business hold a valid state license, and that such businesses organize under the Professional Service Corporation Act. The provision drew little attention at passage. Its practical force was deferred to a future date tied to the start of licensing, which is why an ownership mandate passed in 2022 becomes a live divestment deadline in 2027.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/georgias-dominant-medicaid-payer-cuts-aba-rates-20-with-no-exit-for-providers#entry-2025-12-01-the-market-trap-is-set-two-of-three-incumbents-lose-their-bidsThe market trap is set: two of three incumbents lose their bids2025-12-01T00:00:00Z2025-12-01T00:00:00ZIn the December 2024 Medicaid procurement, the Department of Community Health awarded new contracts to CareSource, Humana, Molina, and UnitedHealthcare. Amerigroup and Peach State, longtime incumbents that together managed most of the state's Medicaid volume, lost their bids and began exiting. The replacements were not expected to go operational until mid 2026, an expectation the protest fight would later push into 2027. This is the structural setup that, a year later, left providers with no functioning alternative when CareSource cut its rates.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/federal-auditors-are-sweeping-state-medicaid-aba-programs-and-the-refunds-are-stacking-up#entry-2025-07-09-wisconsin-becomes-the-third-audit-the-pattern-holds-1Wisconsin becomes the third audit; the pattern holds2025-07-10T00:00:00Z2025-07-10T00:00:00ZThe OIG published its Wisconsin audit, identifying $18.5 million in improper payments and $94.3 million in potentially improper payments for 2021 and 2022, with a recommended federal refund of $12.2 million. As in Indiana before it, all 100 sampled enrollee-months contained at least one improper or potentially improper claim. Maine's audit followed, with a $28.7 million recommended refund. The consistency across states signaled that the problem was systemic oversight gaps, not isolated provider misconduct.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/federal-auditors-are-sweeping-state-medicaid-aba-programs-and-the-refunds-are-stacking-up#entry-2024-12-26-the-first-audit-lands-indiana-and-every-sampled-month-is-flaggedThe first audit lands: Indiana, and every sampled month is flagged2024-12-26T00:00:00Z2024-12-26T00:00:00ZThe OIG published the first audit in the series, covering Indiana. It estimated at least $56 million in improper fee-for-service Medicaid ABA payments for 2019 and 2020, plus $76.7 million in potentially improper payments, and recommended Indiana refund $39.4 million as the federal share. Every one of the 100 sampled enrollee-months contained an improper or potentially improper claim. Deficiencies included unsupported CPT code billing, missing session notes and signatures, and insufficient state oversight. Indiana later began re-auditing the same dates of service and recouping from providers directly.https://www.abawiser.com/wire/federal-auditors-are-sweeping-state-medicaid-aba-programs-and-the-refunds-are-stacking-up#entry-2022-01-23-the-oig-announces-it-will-audit-aba-in-a-series-of-statesThe OIG announces it will audit ABA in a series of states2022-01-24T00:00:00Z2022-01-24T00:00:00ZThe OIG announced a series of audits of state Medicaid ABA payments, citing questionable billing patterns and payments for unallowable services. The series was structured to examine whether state Medicaid agencies' ABA payments complied with federal and state requirements. Project titles were held unpublished until each report posted. What began as a work-plan entry became, over the following years, the most consequential federal scrutiny the ABA industry has faced.