Insurance Resource Center for Autism and Behavioral Health

Join us Tomorrow (Thursday, September 5) at 12:00PM for a presentation on addressing insurance denials in self-funded plans.

No charge, but registration is required:

https://umassmed.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwofuyorD8iH908fve9SImrncMNRuVyKiQK #/registration

My Health Plan is Self-Funded, Now What?

When those with self-funded plans are unfairly denied or requests or claims are ignored or handled improperly, state regulators often will say they lack jurisdiction.

This presentation will offer advice on how to reach out to employers at large companies for assistance, and if that fails, how to involve regulators at the US Department of Labor's office of Employee Benefits and Security Administration.

Recent Mental Health Parity regulations have charged the Department of Labor with increased regulatory responsibilities, and they have become quite responsive to requests for assistance.

Mental Health and Autism Insurance Project https://mhautism.org experts Sara DuTerroil and Karen Fessel will walk you through the process and share success stories.

Join us on Thursday September 5th at 12:00pm for our Lunch and Learn presentation featuring guest presenters Sara Du Terroli and Karen Fessel. Please click the link below to register for the event.
https://massairc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/insurance-flyer-Sept-5-2024-bilingual-1.pdf

ASK THE INSURANCE GURU:

"Dear Guru,

I received a letter from MassHealth that says I or a household member has a job that was not reported to MassHealth. There is a deadline on the letter, and it says that my benefits may end or decrease. I’m worried my son who has Autism may lose his MassHealth coverage and am not sure what to do."

It's understandable to be concerned about your MassHealth benefits. MassHealth requires that any changes in employment or income be reported within 10 days. MassHealth has access to employment information and these notices are part of their data auditing process.

To address this issue, your next step is to resubmit your MassHealth application with any updates or changes by the deadline indicated in the letter. If you have access to the MassHealth portal, you can make the revisions yourself or reach out to MassHealth Customer Service at (800) 841-2900 to provide the updated information. You can also reach out to the Insurance Resource Center by email at [email protected] or by phone at 774-455-4056 for assistance with this process.

As long as the MassHealth member continues to meet the eligibility criteria, they will maintain their coverage. However, if the circumstances have changed and the member no longer qualifies, you will receive information regarding your options to purchase a health plan through the Massachusetts Health Connector. If the MassHealth member has autism or a behavioral health need, we at the Insurance Resource Center can also review your options to help maintain MassHealth coverage for those specific needs.

Reminders:

I am the Autism Insurance Guru and every week (or as often as I can) I answer your autism insurance related questions here on the AIRC’s page. My advice and wisdom come from years of experience dealing with autism insurance in Massachusetts, but please note anything I share is NOT intended to be legal or medical advice. I will post answers to questions that are submitted.

ASK THE INSURANCE GURU:

"Hi Insurance Guru,

My son has BCBS as his primary insurance and MassHealth CommonHealth as his secondary insurance. My son has ABA, speech and OT every week.

I received a co-pay bill from the speech therapist. I thought MassHealth paid for all co-pays and out-of-pocket expenses from the employer insurance.

How can I get the speech co-pays reimbursed from MassHealth?

Jenna"

Dear Jenna,

Thanks for reaching out. You are correct that MassHealth secondary will pay for co-pays, but only if the provider is also a MassHealth provider. I recommend you ask the speech therapist if she is a MassHealth provider. If she is, then she can submit to MassHealth for your son’s co-pays. If she is not a credentialed provider with MassHealth, then you are responsible for the co-pays. You must use providers in network with MassHealth! Unfortunately, you cannot submit co-pay claims to MassHealth for reimbursement.

The Guru recommends you call your son’s providers to confirm if they are also MassHealth providers. This will inform you as to what co-pays will be paid by MassHealth and what co-pays you will be responsible for.

Reminders:

I am the Autism Insurance Guru and every week (or as often as I can) I answer your autism insurance related questions here on the AIRC’s page. My advice and wisdom come from years of experience dealing with autism insurance in Massachusetts, but please note anything I share is NOT intended to be legal or medical advice. I will post answers to questions that are submitted.

ASK THE INSURANCE GURU:

"Hi Guru,

I received a summer EBT card this week and I’m confused as to why I received it. Is this valid? Is this relative to my child’s MassHealth Coverage? Do you know what is going on with these cards?"

Thank you so much for your question. We have been hearing about these cards. The Massachusetts EBT cards are sent based on students who qualify for the National School Lunch Program / School Breakfast Program, SNAP benefits and are between the ages of 6 and 15.

Most who were eligible for this benefit did not apply. The card covers has $120 per student. The card is only valid for 122 days from when it was issued. Follow the instructions on the letter to activate the card, then you can use it to purchase food at participating SNAP authorized retailers. If you need more information on these cards, please visit the following link

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/summer-ebt-faq #:~:text=Summer%20EBT%20is%20a%20benefit,EBT%20until%20September%207%2C%202024

Reminders:

I am the Autism Insurance Guru and every week (or as often as I can) I answer your autism insurance related questions here on the AIRC’s page. My advice and wisdom come from years of experience dealing with autism insurance in Massachusetts, but please note anything I share is NOT intended to be legal or medical advice. I will post answers to questions that are submitted.

ASK THE INSURANCE GURU:

"Dear Insurance Guru,

I found out that Massachusetts has a new IEP form for the upcoming school year.
Is this true? Is there anything I can do to find out more about it?

Jenna"

Dear Jenna,

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) launched an IEP improvement project a few years ago. The result is improvements to the IEP form for use beginning in School Year 2024-2025. Here’s a link to a quick reference guide to help you:

https://jmp.sh/ocv0kc5q

• Prepare for IEP meetings,
• Collaborate with school professionals to use the new form during IEP meetings, and
• Partner with the school throughout the year to put the IEP into action.

The Insurance Resource Center is presenting a Lunch & Learn Workshop on Thursday, September 19th at 12:00 noon on the new IEP.

Stay tuned for the registration link.

ASK THE INSURANCE GURU:

"Dear Guru,

After almost two years, my son was approved for SSI and I remember hearing on an IRC Lunch and Learn that once a person is eligible for SSI, they will receive MassHealth Standard. Is that true? If so, do I need to do something? Will they let me know?

Sincerely,
Now What?"

Dear Now What,

You are correct when someone is eligible for SSI it comes with MassHealth Standard. Generally, you do not have to do anything to receive this coverage. Social Security Administration will let MassHealth know, and MassHealth Standard will be issued. However, it is always good to check with MassHealth. Confirm they have him having active MassHealth Standard. Also, if he has primary insurance, through a parent, then you’ll need to let them know that. If it is his only insurance, he will be asked to pick a MassHealth plan.

I would strongly recommend keeping your son’s SSI award notice. It is the very first notice they send informing you of the new benefit. If for some reason MassHealth does not see the MassHealth Standard in their system, having this letter as proof is very helpful.

If you are having trouble navigating any of this, please reach out to the Insurance Resource Center for Autism and Behavioral Health.

Reminders:

I am the Autism Insurance Guru and every week (or as often as I can) I answer your autism insurance related questions here on the AIRC’s page. My advice and wisdom come from years of experience dealing with autism insurance in Massachusetts, but please note anything I share is NOT intended to be legal or medical advice. I will post answers to questions that are submitted.

ASK THE INSURANCE GURU:

"Dear Guru,

I’m a school based BCBA, and I’m planning on accepting a role in the fall for an insurance-based provider. I’m trying to learn more about best practices and how to work with insurance. I was told that goals need to be written differently and that I may need to change the way I take notes. Do you have any information on this?"

Dear BCBA,

Switching from school-based ABA to insurance funded ABA services requires a change in treatment perspective. School based services are driven by the student’s IEP, and the specified goals in that document. Health insurance services are driven by what services are medically necessary to treat the client’s needs.

As such, the goals for health insurance-based services are typically focused on treating the symptoms of ASD as described in the DSM-5, rather than focused on performance in the school setting. You should familiarize yourself with the DSM-5 diagnosis of ASD before you start providing insurance funded services. https://www.cdc.gov/autism/hcp/diagnosis/index.html

Additionally, I would recommend that you read the Applied Behavior Analysis Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. This document represents the ‘generally accepted standards of care' for ABA services. This is the 3rd addition of this document (which is new this year), so all BCBAs who provide insurance funded services should also read the new version if they haven’t already. This document is a great resource for understanding how to deliver treatment that is funded by health insurance. https://assets-002.noviams.com/novi-file-uploads/casp/pdfs-and-documents/ASD_Guidelines/ABA_Practice_Guidelines_3_0.pdf

We are so grateful for the work you do, and that you are asking this very important question.

Reminders:

I am the Autism Insurance Guru and every week (or as often as I can) I answer your autism insurance related questions here on the AIRC’s page. My advice and wisdom come from years of experience dealing with autism insurance in Massachusetts, but please note anything I share is NOT intended to be legal or medical advice. I will post answers to questions that are submitted.

ASK THE INSURANCE GURU:

"Dear Guru: My child has autism and when he’s upset, he can be very aggressive. It’s sometimes so bad that we are worried about his (and our family’s) safety. But I’m scared of involving the police and don’t want to go to the Emergency Room. Are there other resources?"

Thank you for asking this question! There is a new service specifically to help families of children with autism who are having a crisis. This service, called McPap for ASD, provides specialized medical and behavioral consultations to Emergency Service Providers and Mobile Crisis Teams for children and young adults with ASD/ID up to age 26, regardless of insurance. The consultations may focus on acute behavioral interventions to stabilize the patient, intense behavioral coaching, and acute assessment for medical issues that may be manifesting as behavior changes or medication questions. Follow-up support for up to seven days is available and may focus on assessment of triggers, development of crisis behavioral training, support around medication, and referrals for longer-term support and treatment when needed.

McPap for ASD operates daily from 11AM -7PM. Families can call 877-382-1609, and your call will be automatically transferred to the closest Emergency Services Program/Mobile Crisis Intervention that serves you.

Crises are very scary. We are thinking of you and your family, and we hope you will find this service helpful

Reminders:

I am the Autism Insurance Guru and every week (or as often as I can) I answer your autism insurance related questions here on the AIRC’s page. My advice and wisdom come from years of experience dealing with autism insurance in Massachusetts, but please note anything I share is NOT intended to be legal or medical advice. I will post answers to questions that are submitted.

ASK THE INSURANCE GURU:

"Dear Insurance Guru,

My husband and I lost our jobs within a month of each other. Cobra is too expensive. We need to purchase a health plan quickly because our son has an autism evaluation scheduled next month.
I googled “Massachusetts Insurance Plans” and “Affordable Health Connector Plans”. I found a plan called, First Health, which is from Aetna. It seems like an affordable plan.

What do you think? Is this a Massachusetts Health Connector plan?

Desperate Mom"

Dear Desperate Mom,

I am sorry to hear about your job losses. Unfortunately, there are health plans for sale on the open market that are not legitimate.

These plans, including the First Health plan, are known as “scam plans”. Why? Because they are not honored by the provider network in most states. Even though it is advertised as an Aetna product, Massachusetts Aetna providers cannot submit claims!

Many “scam plans” don’t include mental health benefits so you wouldn’t be covered for your son’s upcoming evaluation.

To shop for legitimate Massachusetts Health Connector plans, you must go to the Health Connector website: https://www.mahealthconnector.org/
If you find yourself on the phone with an out-of-state business, hang up!

If you aren’t sure if the health plan is legitimate, contact the Insurance Resource Center for Autism and Behavioral Health at 774-455-4056

Reminders:

I am the Autism Insurance Guru and every week (or as often as I can) I answer your autism insurance related questions here on the AIRC’s page. My advice and wisdom come from years of experience dealing with autism insurance in Massachusetts, but please note anything I share is NOT intended to be legal or medical advice. I will post answers to questions that are submitted.

ASK THE INSURANCE GURU:

"Hello,

How do you get insurance to cover summer camp? Thanks!

Jill"

Dear Jill:

This is a great question. Summer camps are very important for children, especially this year. However, insurance only covers medically necessary treatment, and it’s unlikely that a traditional summer camp would be eligible. However, if it is a therapeutic or specialized summer camp, it may be possible to get some portion covered. The Guru recommends asking the camp if they can advise you about insurance coverage. It’s a good idea to include the word, “therapeutic” when using the internet to find these types of camps. For example, if you google, “therapeutic summer camps Massachusetts”, it should point you in the right direction. The Guru hopes you have a great summer!

Here’s a link to Massachusetts summer camps: https://disabilityinfo.org/fact-sheet-library/recreation/summer-camp-resources-2020/

Reminders:

I am the Autism Insurance Guru and every week (or as often as I can) I answer your autism insurance related questions here on the AIRC’s page. My advice and wisdom come from years of experience dealing with autism insurance in Massachusetts, but please note anything I share is NOT intended to be legal or medical advice. I will post answers to questions that are submitted.

This is happening TOMORROW (Thursday!) - Register now.

Want to learn more about MassHealth Premium Assistance - Register for Thursday's Lunch and Learn!
https://umassmed.zoom.us/.../tJwqd-mtrj8tGNStuL...
Thursday, June 6
12:00pm – 12:30pm (via zoom)
Join us for a FREE Lunch and Learn on Thursday 6/6 at noon to learn about MassHealth Premium Assistance.
MassHealth Premium Assistance is a program within MassHealth for people who have employer sponsored insurance AND are covered by certain MassHealth plans.
If you are interested in applying for MassHealth as secondary coverage, you will want to hear how this benefit may be able to help with the costs. Premium Assistance is not secondary insurance but can help pay for it. In some cases, families receive a monthly Premium Assistance reimbursement check, after the cost of the MassHealth secondary coverage is deducted.
Premium Assistance
Learn what types of plans may qualify for this benefit and hear about the plan requirements.
Not all plans will qualify, but if eligible, Premium Assistance can be an extremely helpful benefit.
Learn how to apply and understand the ongoing responsibilities to maintain this benefit.
With MassHealth starting to bill families again, this Lunch & Learn is one that you don’t want to miss!
There will be time for Q&A at the end of the presentation.
REGISTER HERE
Registration required. Spanish translation available.
Presentations are recorded and posted at massairc.org.

https://umassmed.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwqd-mtrj8tGNStuL-8PxJ6rjRRAv3uHkMh #/registration

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: MassHealth Premium Assistance. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: MassHealth Premium Assistance. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

Want to learn more about MassHealth Premium Assistance - Register for Next Thursday's Lunch and Learn!

https://umassmed.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwqd-mtrj8tGNStuL-8PxJ6rjRRAv3uHkMh #/registration

Thursday, June 6
12:00pm – 12:30pm (via zoom)
Join us for a FREE Lunch and Learn on Thursday 6/6 at noon to learn about MassHealth Premium Assistance.
MassHealth Premium Assistance is a program within MassHealth for people who have employer sponsored insurance AND are covered by certain MassHealth plans.

If you are interested in applying for MassHealth as secondary coverage, you will want to hear how this benefit may be able to help with the costs. Premium Assistance is not secondary insurance but can help pay for it. In some cases, families receive a monthly Premium Assistance reimbursement check, after the cost of the MassHealth secondary coverage is deducted.

Premium Assistance

Learn what types of plans may qualify for this benefit and hear about the plan requirements.
Not all plans will qualify, but if eligible, Premium Assistance can be an extremely helpful benefit.
Learn how to apply and understand the ongoing responsibilities to maintain this benefit.
With MassHealth starting to bill families again, this Lunch & Learn is one that you don’t want to miss!

There will be time for Q&A at the end of the presentation.
REGISTER HERE
Registration required. Spanish translation available.
Presentations are recorded and posted at massairc.org.

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: MassHealth Premium Assistance. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: MassHealth Premium Assistance. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

Bailey’s Team for Autism has been given the honor of screening a new film to be released May 31st of this year! “Ezra” is about an 11 year old with autism, whose divorced parents don’t agree on how to care for him and prepare for his future.

The film’s impressive cast includes Bobby Cannavale, Rose Byrne and Robert De Niro along with newcomer, William Fitzgerald, a neurodivergent young actor. Other actors include Whoopi Goldberg, Rainn Wilson, and Vera Farmiga, all playing characters supporting this family.

The Insurance Resource Center has a few FREE tickets available for next Tuesday (May 28) for a 7:30 showing of Ezra at the Coolidge Corner Cinema in Brookline.

I need to know by Wednesday if you are interested in the tickets. Please email me at: [email protected] with your ticket request. I need the names of all who will attend.

Join us on 5/23 for this Free Lunch and Learn!

Webinar - 5/23 MassHealth for People Who Have Private Insurance Insurance Resource Center for Autism and Behavioral Health FREE Lunch and Learn Series MassHealth for People Who Have Private Insurance May 23rd at 12:00pm We often hear from people who have been tol

Understanding Insurance Coverage for Autism and Co-Occurring Visual Impairment Perkins School for the Blind’s Life Launch Program assists transition-aged youth with disabilities navigate insurance coverage.

ASK THE INSURANCE GURU:

"Hi Insurance Guru,

I found out I am eligible for the MassHealth Premium Assistance Program. Is there an option to set up direct deposit for the monthly check I receive?

Happy Mom"

Dear Happy Mom,

Congratulations on becoming eligible for Premium Assistance! YES, you can set up direct deposit for your premium assistance check.

First, you must receive a check by mail. After you receive the check, you must scan the check onto what is called the Direct Deposit Form.

If you cannot scan the check on the form, you can scan it as a separate page. Email the completed form and check scan to: [email protected]

MassHealth will verify the account and routing numbers that you entered on the form.

Click here for a link to the form:https://massairc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Direct-Deposit.pdf

If you have questions about the direct deposit form, you can call premium assistance directly at 1.800.862.4840.

Reminders:

I am the Autism Insurance Guru and every week (or as often as I can) I answer your autism insurance related questions here on the AIRC’s page. My advice and wisdom come from years of experience dealing with autism insurance in Massachusetts, but please note anything I share is NOT intended to be legal or medical advice. I will post answers to questions that are submitted.

If you would like your autism insurance related questions answered by the Guru, please send them via email to [email protected] with the subject line "Insurance Guru".

ASK THE INSURANCE GURU:

"Mr. Guru,

My child has always had MassHealth Standard secondary insurance. He is also enrolled on my husband’s BCBS employer plan.

We went through the MassHealth renewal. My son lost his Standard coverage and was placed in Family Assistance. His ABA provider said she can no longer submit claims to have his co-pays covered.

HELP!

Jason’s mom"

Dear Jason’s Mom,

As MassHealth is an income-based system, categories of coverage can change. Don’t panic! There is a fix so that you can get Jason’s ABA co-pays covered.

1. Update the MassHealth application on file by confirming Jason has a disability indicator on record. Re-save the application for 2024.

2. Submit a child disability supplement. The child disability supplement provides MassHealth with proof of disability. You will complete the application and submit (along with all recent clinical documents and Jason’s IEP) to: [email protected] The review will take 30-60 days to complete.

3. Be sure to let a team member from the Insurance Resource Center know when you submitted the disability supplement – they can track the status of Jason’s application and provide you with updates.

4. After the review has completed, Jason will be switched from Family Assistance to CommonHealth. CommonHealth coverage includes coverage for ABA co-pays.

5. Be sure to inform Jason’s ABA provider what you are doing, and that they will be able to submit for co-pays in the near future.

Reminders:

I am the Autism Insurance Guru and every week (or as often as I can) I answer your autism insurance related questions here on the AIRC’s page. My advice and wisdom come from years of experience dealing with autism insurance in Massachusetts, but please note anything I share is NOT intended to be legal or medical advice. I will post answers to questions that are submitted.

If you would like your autism insurance related questions answered by the Guru, please send them via email to [email protected] with the subject line "Insurance Guru".

ASK THE INSURANCE GURU:

"Dear Guru,

My son has had MassHealth Family Assistance since he was a baby, and he is now 5 years old. It had been covering everything for him including his ABA. Just recently I was able to go back to work full-time and I enrolled the family in my employer’s health insurance plan. I let MassHealth know that we now have primary insurance, but now MassHealth is no longer paying for my son’s ABA copays. This is a significant cost as he attends 5 days a week and the copays are adding up. Why won’t they cover it?
What should I do?

Frazzled"

Dear Frazzled,

When MassHealth Family Assistance is the primary or only insurance for a child, MassHealth covers behavioral health, which is why it was covering your son’s ABA in full prior to the new employer sponsored insurance. Once MassHealth Family Assistance is secondary they no longer cover behavioral health. However, if your son has autism, he is most likely eligible for MassHealth CommonHealth, which would include behavioral health benefits and cover the ABA copays.

In addition to coverage for co-pays, you may also be eligible for Premium Assistance which would reimburse you for the employer deductions for your health insurance. My colleagues at the Insurance Resource Center are happy to help you with CommonHealth and Premium Assistance – I’d recommend giving them a call.

Reminders:

I am the Autism Insurance Guru and every week (or as often as I can) I answer your autism insurance related questions here on the AIRC’s page. My advice and wisdom come from years of experience dealing with autism insurance in Massachusetts, but please note anything I share is NOT intended to be legal or medical advice. I will post answers to questions that are submitted.

ASK THE INSURANCE GURU:

"Dear Guru,

Last year it was all about waiting for that blue packet to arrive from MassHealth to complete the renewal. Will there be another blue envelope this year? Or are we all set? Should I be on the lookout for anything else?

Just curious"

Hi Just Curious,

Thank you for your question. Those blue envelopes were great at grabbing people’s attention, but by the end of this month the blue envelopes will be finished. However, MassHealth does send many notices, mostly in plain white envelopes, that can be just as important to open and act upon as the blue renewal envelope. A couple of examples are:
• Notices requesting more information, like proof of income.
• Termination Notices, that typically give steps to take for coverage not to term.
• Invoices, which need to be paid to keep your coverage active.

These are just a few examples of notices that can impact a family’s coverage if not acted on. It is important *to open all your mail*

If you have any questions regarding any notices, you can contact the Insurance Resource Center for Autism & Behavioral Health. Just don’t delay. It is always best to respond to any request from MassHealth in a timely fashion.

Reminders:

I am the Autism Insurance Guru and every week (or as often as I can) I answer your autism insurance related questions here on the AIRC’s page. My advice and wisdom come from years of experience dealing with autism insurance in Massachusetts, but please note anything I share is NOT intended to be legal or medical advice. I will post answers to questions that are submitted.

Registration Link: https://umassmed.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUofuqorjMoH9VtyTjfee2N0Vpceb3-ES_-

ASK THE INSURANCE GURU:

“Dear Guru:

We found an ABA provider for my son who is able to start services. But they told me that in order to get approval from insurance, I need to submit a neuropsych evaluation. I won’t be able to get this scheduled until next Fall, and I don’t want him to have to wait that long.

What do you advise?”

Thank you for writing. A neuropsychological evaluation is very helpful, but it is NOT needed to obtain an insurance authorization for ABA.

There is a bit of confusion about who can diagnose autism and what testing and documentation is required for insurance authorization. The Insurance Resource Center has a helpful Fact Sheet on Diagnosing Autism which discusses thishttps://massairc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Diagnosing-Autism-Final-07-12.pdf

If you or your ABA provider have questions, my colleagues at the Insurance Resource Center would be happy to provide Assistance.

Reminders:

I am the Autism Insurance Guru and every week (or as often as I can) I answer your autism insurance related questions here on the AIRC’s page. My advice and wisdom come from years of experience dealing with autism insurance in Massachusetts, but please note anything I share is NOT intended to be legal or medical advice. I will post answers to questions that are submitted.

If you would like your autism insurance related questions answered by the Guru, please send them via email to [email protected] with the subject line "Insurance Guru".

ASK THE INSURANCE GURU:

“Dear Guru,

My child who has autism was referred for IHT, or in-home therapy.

I called two providers and was told he isn’t eligible because his primary diagnosis is autism.

I am confused…what does this mean?”

Dear Confused,

IHT is one of the CBHI/behavioral health benefits offered through MassHealth for youth through age 21. IHT works with the whole family, not just the referred individual, by providing intensive family therapy to assist families in overcoming past trauma and coping with symptoms of mental health conditions.

It is a service for an individual whose primary diagnosis is due to a mental health condition and not autism. For individuals with autism, it is recommended they seek out IHBT which is called in-home behavioral therapy. This is behavior-based and can provide the therapy individuals with autism and their families need when in crisis.

The two benefits sound similar so it can be confusing when you are trying to get help for your loved one.

Please note: you cannot have both ABA and IHBT at the same time. If your child is receiving ABA, he or she cannot also receive IHBT. Vice versa if you child is receiving IHBT, you must wait until the therapy is finished before he or she receives ABA.

Reminders:

I am the Autism Insurance Guru and every week (or as often as I can) I answer your autism insurance related questions here on the AIRC’s page. My advice and wisdom come from years of experience dealing with autism insurance in Massachusetts, but please note anything I share is NOT intended to be legal or medical advice. I will post answers to questions that are submitted.