Owing to the rise in autism statistics throughout the nation and high rates of autism in Illinois, a state government task force has set out to help families get access to appropriate autism therapies. However, many families still face barriers to appropriate therapy, primarily the lengthy wait lists and costs. Waitlists can be years long for diagnostic and therapeutic services, especially for children using Medicaid insurance plans. That is why Caper ABA works to ensure all families in need of autism treatment are able to find some form of financial assistance.
How Much is ABA Therapy Out of Pocket?
Applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy can cost anywhere between $100 and $200 per hour. Given that the average recommendation is upwards of 40 hours of therapy per week, this can lead to costs averaging well over $100,000.
Influencing Factors
What influences these costs aside from the hourly rate?
For starters, the people with whom your child works will have different levels of qualifications. Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) are often the highest certification for an ABA program. They charge more per hour than the next level down, which are Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs). RBTs typically work under supervision from a BCBA.
Aside from qualifications, influencing factors include the setting. Working at our ABA center will have a different pricing structure compared to receiving work directly in your home, but it also brings with it separate benefits like access to specific peer support and social skill building that can’t be accessed at home.
One of the biggest factors, though, is the timeline and the intensity. A child who starts ABA therapy at age three and continues with 40 hours per week, every week for 2 years, will face a higher cost out of pocket compared to a child who starts therapy at age 4 with only 15 hours per week for one year.
Learn How Caper Can Help
With Caper ABA, we offer financial support and Medicaid navigation to ensure accessibility. Our goal is to provide financial assistance and grants, so care is available regardless of income. The cost of ABA therapy out of pocket can range per hour, but the cost can vary with help from our team, insurance, and other forms of financial assistance.
Call our team today to learn more about the cost of ABA therapy out of pocket and what forms of financial assistance await.
FAQ
How Much is ABA Therapy Per Week?
The weekly cost of ABA therapy without any insurance or other financial assistance can range anywhere between $1,000 and $5,000 for low-intensity to high-intensity programs. The higher the “intensity” or hours required per week, the higher the cost.
How Much is ABA Therapy Per Month?
Monthly ABA therapy costs range much the same as weekly and hourly costs, based on the intensity of the program. If you have a child with autism spectrum disorder, you can expect to pay monthly costs anywhere between a few thousand dollars and over $20,000 if you are paying completely out of pocket with no other financial assistance. However, at Caper ABA, we want all people to be able to access the right type of therapy regardless of income level, which is why we offer Financial assistance.
Does ABA Therapy Charge for an Assessment?
If you have a child living with autism spectrum disorder, you may have to pay an upfront fee anywhere between $500 and $2,500 for an initial assessment and consultation. This is an important part of determining the right type of program and the right intensity of that program. This cost is often separate from the regular, out-of-pocket costs that you pay per hour.
What Influences the Costs of ABA Therapy the Most?
There are several factors that influence the cost of ABA therapy, like the qualifications of the providers with whom you work, the setting, the location, and, most importantly, the intensity. The intensity of a program refers to the number of hours that your child needs each week, so a child who only needs 10 hours of focused intervention per week will have lower costs compared to one who needs 40 hours of intensive therapy per week.
Can Insurance Help ABA Costs?
While there can be long wait times, most private insurance plans and Medicaid plans will cover ABA therapy for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. This typically requires that you still meet your deductible, after which you are only responsible for coinsurance or co-pays per session until your annual maximum for out-of-pocket expenses is reached. This will vary based on your insurance provider. When you contact Caper ABA, we can help you review your benefits and estimate your expected costs.
Is There Financial Assistance for ABA Therapy?
If you still need financial assistance, either on top of your insurance or instead of insurance, there are several nonprofit organizations and societies that provide state-funded programs, grants, and payment plans to make therapy much more accessible.
Where Can I Get Financial Aid for Autism Therapy?
At Caper ABA, we help families find the financial aid they need to get therapy. Our goal is to ensure everyone is able to get the care they need, regardless of their financial situation. There are many ways that families can find financial aid to help cover these costs, including government programs and nonprofit organizations.
Can I Use Medicaid or CHIP to Cover ABA Therapy Costs?
Yes, both options can help you reduce the out-of-pocket costs of ABA therapy. When you reach out to our team, we can help you review your insurance plan and the ways in which you can apply benefits to Autism therapy costs.
Are There Scholarships for ABA Therapy?
If paying for therapy out of pocket is not feasible, and insurance isn’t enough or has high out-of-pocket requirements, you can look to things like grants from several nonprofit organizations. ACT Today, for example, will prioritize families with household incomes under $100,000 and provide grants up to $5,000. The National Autism Association offers one-time grants for low-income families up to $1,000. Autism Speaks is another nonprofit that provides grants up to $500 for families who need immediate financial assistance for therapy.