ABA Therapy Centers in California

Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Treatment (BHT)

Medi-Cal covers all medically necessary BHT, which includes ABA, for members under 21. Any provider can refer a child for evaluation, but only a physician or psychologist can decide that BHT is medically necessary. Treatment must come from a Qualified Autism Service provider, professional or paraprofessional. Managed care plans must meet their usual timely access standards, while fee-for-service Medi-Cal sets no assessment deadline.

• Managed care members get BHT from their Medi-Cal plan; find your plan's phone number in the DHCS plan directory.
• Fee-for-service members use their local Regional Center or, since July 1, 2025, an enrolled Qualified Autism Service provider.
• To appeal a denial, managed care members go through the plan first, then request a State Hearing within 90 days of the denial letter.

Health and Safety Code 1374.73 and Insurance Code 10144.51

Health and Safety Code 1374.73 covers health care service plans, and Insurance Code 10144.51 covers health insurance policies. Both require coverage of behavioral health treatment for autism, including ABA, under a treatment plan reviewed at least every six months. Neither text sets an age or dollar cap, though plans may use prior authorization, networks and cost sharing. Self-funded employer plans follow federal ERISA rules instead, so ask HR whether your plan is regulated by California.

Regional Centers and developmental services

California has 21 Regional Centers, each covering a county or group of counties, except in Los Angeles County where boundaries follow health districts. Autism qualifies when it begins before age 18 and creates a substantial disability. Children from birth to age four can qualify provisionally without a diagnosis of developmental disability. The diagnosis and eligibility assessment is free, and a service coordinator then builds an Individual Program Plan with your family.

Early Start from birth to 36 months

Early Start serves infants and toddlers from birth to 36 months who show a developmental delay of at least 25 percent in one or more areas, or who have an established risk condition. Anyone can make a referral, and parents can call a Regional Center or school district directly. The center or district has 45 days to assign a service coordinator and complete evaluations. Evaluation, assessment and service coordination cost nothing.

Who can deliver ABA in California

California does not license behavior analysts, so it appears on no state licensure list kept by the BACB. Instead, state law defines a Qualified Autism Service provider as someone certified by a national entity such as the BACB, or a licensed physician, psychologist, therapist, social worker, counselor or speech-language pathologist working within their competence. Ask any provider for the BACB certificant number or professional license number of the person who supervises your child's plan.