ABA Therapy Centers in Georgia

Medicaid Adaptive Behavior Services

Georgia Medicaid has covered autism services for members under 21 since January 1, 2018. ABA is called Adaptive Behavior Services. A child needs a documented DSM-V diagnosis of autism from a licensed physician or psychologist. A qualified provider, which includes a board certified behavior analyst, then requests prior approval for an assessment, and a separate approval for treatment under the plan of care. A follow-up assessment is due every six months.

• CareSource Georgia began paying ABA providers 80% of the state Medicaid fee schedule in early May 2026, a 20% cut, and told providers to accept it or leave the network.
• Amerigroup, the plan that covers children in foster care, cut ABA payments 30% starting September 1, 2026 and said it would raise rates for parent training instead. Some clinics have stopped taking new foster-care referrals at that rate.
• ABA stays a covered benefit for members under 21. The cuts change which clinics accept a plan, so ask a clinic whether it takes new patients from your child's plan before you join its waitlist.

Ava's Law and private insurance

Ava's Law, O.C.G.A. § 33-24-59.10, requires covered accident and sickness policies to pay for autism diagnosis and ABA for members 20 years of age or under when the plan finds the care medically necessary. A plan can cap ABA at $35,000 per year and cannot limit the number of visits. The plan can ask a physician or psychologist to show medical necessity once a year. The law does not apply to employers with ten or fewer employees. Ask the plan administrator for the written autism benefit.

NOW and COMP waivers

The New Options Waiver (NOW) and COMP give home and community services to people with intellectual disabilities or related conditions, and autism is listed among them. NOW fits less intensive needs; COMP fits more intensive needs and can include residential support. Applicants must be eligible for Medicaid and need an institutional level of care. DBHDD regional offices handle intake and evaluation. Waiver services run alongside Medicaid ABA, not in place of it.

Babies Can't Wait before age three

Babies Can't Wait is Georgia's Part C early intervention program, run by the Department of Public Health. It serves children from birth up to their third birthday, regardless of income, who have a diagnosed condition such as autism or a confirmed developmental delay. Anyone can refer a child by phone, email, fax, letter or in person through the local Child Health Referral Contact for the child's county. Parental consent is not required to make the referral.

Georgia behavior analyst licensing

Georgia licenses behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts through the Georgia Behavior Analyst Licensing Board, overseen by the Secretary of State. The board cites O.C.G.A. Title 43, Chapter 7A. Licensed analysts carry an LBA license number. Ava's Law covers ABA that a nationally certified analyst provides or supervises, so ask a clinic for the supervising analyst's BACB certification and Georgia license number.

Georgia Promise Scholarship

The Georgia Promise Scholarship pays up to $6,500 a year in education funding. It covers private school tuition and fees, tutoring, and services from a licensed therapist for behavioral, occupational, physical or speech-language therapy. The student must live in a listed public school attendance zone and have been enrolled in a Georgia public school for two consecutive full-time equivalent counts, or be a rising kindergartner. Parents must have been Georgia residents for a year. Apply at mygeorgiapromise.org.