ABA therapy with plan changes by an analyst: Medicaid rates by state
41 states publish a Medicaid rate for ABA therapy with plan changes by an analyst, compared at the analyst level. The median is $101.04 per hour; per hour, rates range from $27.00 in Louisiana to $197.40 in Vermont.
- States
- 41
- Median per hour
- $101.04
- Highest
- $197.40Vermont
- Lowest
- $27.00Louisiana
- Rates on file
- 346
ABA therapy with plan changes by an analyst: highest and lowest states
Headline rate per state for the same provider level, converted to an hour.
How ABA therapy with plan changes by an analyst is compared
This is a service-level benchmark rather than a single code: each state's headline rate for ABA therapy with plan changes by an analyst is chosen to match the same service and the same provider level.
- Provider level. States are compared at the behavior analyst (BCBA / licensed behavior analyst) level. Rates for other levels on file (assistant behavior analyst, physician or licensed psychologist, behavior technician and any qualified provider) are kept separate, never mixed into this ranking.
- Unit. Of the 41 states, 40 publish their headline rate per 15 min and 1 per hour. The ranking converts every time-based rate to an hour of service, so states that bill by the 15 minutes and by the hour compare directly.
- Variants. 28 of the 41 states publish more than one rate for this service (by modifier, program, setting or provider type); the headline rate is the one that matches the comparison, and the workspace lists every variant.
- Depth. 346 rates for this service are on file across all states, versions and provider levels; this page shows one headline rate per state.
Why ABA therapy with plan changes by an analyst rates differ between states
The highest-paying state, Vermont, pays $197.40 per hour; the lowest, Louisiana, pays $27.00 per hour, a 7.3x gap. 20 of the 41 states pay above the median of $101.04 per hour. Common reasons rates for ABA / autism services services spread this way:
- ABA rates depend on who delivers the service: a behavior technician, an assistant behavior analyst or a licensed behavior analyst, and states set a different rate for each.
- Some states pay ABA through a waiver or a separate program rather than the main state plan schedule.
- States built their ABA benefits at different times, and some have not rebased their rates since.
Billing notes
Modifiers such as HM, HN, HO and HP identify the practitioner's level in states that pay by credential. The ABA treatment codes are timed, so the rate is usually per 15-minute unit and four units make an hour.
Frequently asked questions
Which state pays the most for ABA therapy with plan changes by an analyst?
Vermont: $49.35 per 15 min ($197.40 per hour).
Which state pays the least for ABA therapy with plan changes by an analyst?
Louisiana: $6.75 per 15 min ($27.00 per hour).
What is the average Medicaid rate for ABA therapy with plan changes by an analyst?
Across 41 states the median is $101.04 per hour, comparing the same provider level in each state. 20 states pay above it.
How are the states compared?
One headline rate per state, matched on the service and the behavior analyst (BCBA / licensed behavior analyst) level and converted to an hour of service. Rates for other provider levels and add-ons are not mixed in.
What unit is ABA therapy with plan changes by an analyst billed in?
Of the 41 states, 40 publish it per 15 min and 1 per hour.
Do managed-care plans pay these rates?
It depends on the state. Each state's managed-care page shows whether plans must pay at least the published rate, follow a state-set rate, or negotiate their own for this service line.