Skip to content
——
(800) 555-0134
Sproutwell ABA

ABA therapy in Colorado

Colorado Medicaid covers ABA for eligible kids, and the state has required private insurance to cover autism care since 2009. Here’s how it actually works — and how we handle the messy parts for you.

Check my coverageCall (800) 555-0134

Does Medicaid cover ABA in Colorado? Yes.

THE COVERAGE PATHWAY

EPSDT Pediatric Behavioral Therapies (PBT) benefit under Health First Colorado for members age 20 and under; fee-for-service with PARs reviewed by Acentra (Atrezzo portal); RAEs coordinate care

WHO RUNS IT

Dept. of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF), hcpf.colorado.gov

You don’t have to memorize any of this — we work with Colorado’s system every day.

Getting approved, in three steps

Colorado requires paperwork before therapy is covered. Here’s the whole process from your side of the table — we do the rest.

  1. 1

    Round up the diagnosis paperwork

    An autism diagnosis from a qualified provider is the key that opens coverage. Already have it? You’re ahead. If not, we’ll help you find an evaluation.

  2. 2

    We build and submit the plan

    Your BCBA assesses your child and writes the treatment plan. Then we file it with the right reviewer in Colorado — forms, follow-ups, and all.

  3. 3

    Coverage confirmed. Therapy starts.

    Once the plan signs off, sessions begin. Most families who qualify start within 2–3 weeks. Approvals renew on a schedule — we track it so you never think about it.

The fine print, if you want it (Colorado’s exact rules)

PA required for ALL PBT services: provider assesses child and submits PAR to Acentra with standardized norm-referenced adaptive behavior assessment, referral for services, and plan of care; approvals valid up to 6 months

Coverage details in Colorado

How many hours a week?

No hard cap; individualized via PAR; provider-reported typical authorizations ~10-40 hours/week

Private insurance has to help too

Not on Medicaid? Colorado’s autism insurance law makes state-regulated private plans cover autism care — you’d pay your plan’s normal deductible and copays. The rule on the books: SB 09-244 enacted 2009 (effective 7/1/2010); all age and dollar caps removed by SB 15-015, effective 1/1/2017

Waiver programs worth knowing

Waivers can add services or open Medicaid eligibility even when family income is too high. In Colorado: Children's Extensive Support (CES) waiver; Children with Complex Health Needs (CwCHN, formerly CHCBS)

What does ABA actually cost in Colorado?

Colorado Medicaid reimburses ABA providers roughly $69 per hour for one-on-one therapy (rates differ by clinician credential and setting). That's what the state pays us — with Medicaid, most families pay nothing out of pocket.

See Colorado costs

Colorado questions, answered

Program rules change; this page describes Colorado’s public coverage rules in plain English and isn’t legal or benefits advice. Call us and we’ll check your exact plan.

READY WHEN YOU ARE, COLORADO.

“I’m worried, but there’s no diagnosis yet.”

That’s where most families begin. Tell us what you’re seeing and we’ll help you figure out the next step — even if it isn’t us.

Help me figure it out

“We have a diagnosis. What does ABA cost?”

For most families it’s covered — Medicaid in every state, and every state has an autism insurance law. See exactly how yours works.

Check my state + insurance

“I just want to talk to a person.”

One 15-minute call. A real human who does this every day, no pressure and no obligation.

Call (800) 555-0134

Biggest cities in Colorado

Local pages for Colorado’s largest communities — what settings are realistically available in each, how far the nearest city is, and which county’s rules apply to you. We cover 149 towns and cities across Colorado; the rest are listed on their county pages.

Counties we serve in Colorado

Every corner of Colorado — pick your county for local answers on coverage, in-home care, and how to start.

Looking for a different state?

Something useful, occasionally

Backup in your inbox.

Plain-language guides on coverage, evaluations, and getting through your week. No spam-y frequency, and you can leave whenever you like.

Confidential and HIPAA-protected. We never sell your details.

Call nowCheck my coverage