How do people afford ABA therapy? In New Jersey, most families pay for ABA therapy through a mix of insurance, Medicaid, grants, and flexible payment plans. The Affordable Care Act and New Jersey’s Autism Insurance Law require most private insurance and Medicaid plans to cover ABA therapy for children with autism, significantly lowering out-of-pocket costs.
Affording Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy can be challenging due to its significant costs. In New Jersey, the average hourly rate for ABA therapy ranges from $120 to $150, translating to $62,400 to $249,600 annually for full-time therapy without insurance coverage
1. Insurance and Medicaid
Private insurance plans, including BlueCross BlueShield and Cigna, must cover ABA therapy under state law. Medicaid (NJ FamilyCare) covers ABA therapy for children under 21 when prescribed as medically necessary, with eligibility based on family income and diagnosis. Families should check their plan details and provider networks to maximize benefits.
2. Grants and Community Support
Families who need more help can apply for grants from organizations like Autism Family Services of New Jersey, Act Today!, or the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation. Local nonprofits and the Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund offer additional support, especially if insurance doesn’t cover all costs. Many ABA providers also offer sliding scale fees or payment plans.
How do people afford ABA therapy? By using insurance, Medicaid, grants, and flexible payment options. Want help navigating your options? Call True Progress Therapy today—our team will walk you through every step to make ABA therapy possible for your family.