Insurance Guide · California (CA)
ABA Therapy Insurance in California
Annual Cap
No annual cap
Age Limit
No age limit
Plan Types
Individual and group fully-insured plans
California Mandate Details
Mandate Law
S.B. 946 (2011)
Year Enacted
2011
Medicaid Coverage in California
Medi-Cal covers ABA through EPSDT for children under 21 with autism diagnosis.
What to Know About ABA Coverage in California
One of the strongest mandates in the country. No dollar cap, no age limit, and applies to all fully-insured plans. Large-group and small-group plans must cover behavioral health treatment including ABA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does California require insurance to cover ABA therapy?
Yes. California's S.B. 946 (2011) requires all fully-insured health plans to cover behavioral health treatment, including ABA, for individuals with autism. There is no annual dollar cap and no age limit.
Does Medi-Cal cover ABA therapy?
Yes. Medi-Cal covers ABA therapy for children under 21 with an autism diagnosis through the EPSDT benefit. Regional centers also coordinate ABA services for eligible individuals.
Why is California considered to have one of the best ABA mandates?
California's mandate has no dollar cap, no age limit, and applies broadly to all fully-insured plans. Combined with strong enforcement by the DMHC, it provides some of the most comprehensive ABA coverage in the nation.
Higglo
Need help navigating ABA insurance?
Our team works with ABA providers across California.