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ABA Therapy Centers in Rhode Island

Compare ABA providers in Cranston, Warwick, Pawtucket and nearby towns, and learn how Rhode Island Medicaid pays for ABA through HBTS while the state autism insurance law stops at age 15.

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Cranston

2 ABA providers

Johnston

1 ABA provider

Lincoln

1 ABA provider

Pawtucket

1 ABA provider

Warren

1 ABA provider

Warwick

1 ABA provider

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ABA therapy and autism supports in Rhode Island

Rhode Island Medicaid covers ABA for children under 21 through Home Based Therapeutic Services (HBTS), and families can ask their Medicaid health plan or a certified ABA provider to start. Private insurance works differently: the state autism law covers ABA only until a child turns 15, and only on group policies that are not small-employer or individual plans. Children under 3 can skip the wait and start with free Early Intervention. Know which payer you have before you call a clinic.

Special Needs Care Network lists 7 ABA providers serving 6 cities in Rhode Island.

Children under 21 with Rhode Island Medicaid can get ABA through EPSDT when the state finds it medically necessary, but each clinic has to accept your child's specific plan. Our guide to finding ABA therapy that accepts your Medicaid plan covers what to ask before you book an intake.

Medicaid ABA
Covered for Medicaid-enrolled children under 21 as a subset of Home Based Therapeutic Services (HBTS).
Autism insurance law
R.I. Gen. Laws § 27-20.11 covers ABA on group policies until age 15; small-employer and individual plans are excluded.
Medicaid regardless of income
Katie Beckett counts only the child's income and resources for children under 19 with long-term disabilities.
Early Intervention
Free for children under age 3 with a developmental delay; Medicaid enrollment is not required.
Behavior analyst license
The Rhode Island Department of Health licenses behavior analysts (LBA) and assistant behavior analysts (LABA).

Medicaid ABA through Home Based Therapeutic Services

Rhode Island Medicaid delivers ABA as a subset of Home Based Therapeutic Services (HBTS), with providers certified by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS). State materials list ABA eligibility as Medicaid enrollment, living with family or a caregiver, a diagnosis within the last two years, and significant social, behavioral and communication challenges. Contact your Medicaid health plan or an ABA provider directly. HBTS treatment plans run 12 months with progress reports every 6 months.

  • Health plans named in EOHHS's 2024 guide: Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island, Tufts Health Plan and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan.
  • Fee-for-service Medicaid members use the same certified providers.
  • Prior authorization is required for services Medicaid does not normally cover.

Rhode Island's autism insurance law, § 27-20.11

Group health policies issued or renewed in Rhode Island since January 1, 2012 must cover autism spectrum disorders, including ABA, speech, physical and occupational therapy. Coverage ends when the child reaches age 15. The law excludes small-employer plans, individual plans and Medical Assistance, and the current text sets no dollar cap. A carrier can ask for a treatment plan signed by a child psychiatrist, behavioral developmental pediatrician, child neurologist or licensed psychologist, updated no more than quarterly. Self-funded employer plans follow federal ERISA, so ask HR which kind you have.

Katie Beckett Medicaid and BHDDH adult services

Rhode Island's route for children is Katie Beckett, a Medicaid eligibility category rather than a waiver. It covers Rhode Island residents under 19 who live at home, meet the Social Security disability definition and need hospital-level care at home, and it counts only the child's income and resources. Apply with the paper DHS-2 form; the Katie Beckett parent consultant answers questions at (401) 574-8474. The state's developmental disability division (BHDDH) serves adults 18 and older, and families can apply 2 months before the 17th birthday.

  • Katie Beckett costs families nothing.
  • BHDDH requires a diagnosis made before age 22 and Medicaid long-term services approval.

Rhode Island Early Intervention for children under 3

The Rhode Island Early Intervention Program serves children under age 3 who have a developmental disability or delay. Services are free to families, children do not need to be on Medicaid, and the team works in places where your child plays, such as home or child care. To apply, contact a certified Early Intervention provider from the list on the EOHHS page. The Rhode Island Parent Information Network at 401-270-0101 helps families pick a provider for their area.

Who can deliver ABA in Rhode Island

Rhode Island licenses applied behavior analysts through a licensing board within the Department of Health, under R.I. Gen. Laws chapter 5-86. Licensed clinicians use the titles LBA or LABA, and using either title without a license is unlawful. A psychologist with equivalent experience can also supervise ABA. Ask any provider for the license holder's name and number, and ask whether the agency is EOHHS-certified for Medicaid HBTS.

Where Rhode Island families find ABA

Rhode Island is small, so most ABA providers serve several towns and many offer home-based sessions. Supply clusters in Providence County around Cranston, Pawtucket, Johnston and Lincoln, with more across Kent County in Warwick and in the East Bay. Medicaid families pick a certified agency that serves their town, so check its listed service area before you call.

  • ABA therapy in Cranston

    EOHHS and the Katie Beckett paper applications both run through Cranston addresses.

  • ABA therapy in Warwick

    Kent County; EOHHS's May 2024 Medicaid guide lists certified ABA programs serving Warwick and West Warwick.

  • ABA therapy in Pawtucket

    Providence County; the same EOHHS directory lists ABA programs serving Pawtucket and Central Falls.

  • ABA therapy in Johnston

    Providence County; certified ABA programs list Johnston among towns served for Medicaid HBTS.

  • ABA therapy in Lincoln

    Northern Providence County; EOHHS's directory shows center and home ABA programs serving Lincoln.

  • ABA therapy in Warren

    Bristol County, in the East Bay; EOHHS's directory lists ABA programs serving Warren.

Where to start in Rhode Island

  1. Find out which payer you have: Medicaid, a group plan covering a child under 15, or neither, and ask the plan for its written ABA benefit.
  2. If your child is on Medicaid, call the health plan or an EOHHS-certified ABA provider and ask about an HBTS treatment plan.
  3. If your family income is too high for Medicaid, mail the DHS-2 application for Katie Beckett or call (401) 574-8474.
  4. For a child under 3, contact a certified Early Intervention provider or call 401-270-0101 while you wait for a clinic intake.

Rhode Island ABA therapy questions

How do you start Medicaid ABA in Rhode Island?

Call your Medicaid health plan (Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island, Tufts Health Plan or UnitedHealthcare Community Plan) or contact an EOHHS-certified ABA provider directly. State materials ask for Medicaid enrollment, a child under 21 living with family or a caregiver, a recent diagnosis, and significant social, behavioral and communication challenges. The provider writes an HBTS treatment plan for authorization.

Does the Rhode Island autism insurance law cover ABA after age 15?

No. R.I. Gen. Laws § 27-20.11-3 says benefits continue until the covered individual reaches age fifteen. Bills to remove the age limit were introduced in 2025, but the statute text still shows age 15. Medicaid is separate: it covers ABA for enrolled children up to age 21, so a teen with Medicaid keeps coverage even when a private plan stops.

Does the Rhode Island autism law apply to small-employer or individual plans?

No. Section 27-20.11-1 excludes plans under the Small Employer Health Insurance Availability Act, plans under the Individual Health Insurance Coverage Act, and Medical Assistance. It reaches group policies delivered, issued or renewed in Rhode Island. Ask your insurer in writing whether your plan is subject to the law, and ask HR whether your employer self-funds, which puts the plan under ERISA.

What is Katie Beckett Medicaid in Rhode Island?

Katie Beckett is a Medicaid eligibility category for children under 19 who have long-term disabilities or complex medical needs and can be cared for at home. Only the child's income and resources count, so parent income does not block eligibility. Mail the paper DHS-2 application to DHS in Cranston, and call the parent consultant at (401) 574-8474 with questions.

Who do I call for Early Intervention in Rhode Island?

Contact a certified Early Intervention provider for your area, listed on the EOHHS Early Intervention page. If you want help choosing one, call the Rhode Island Parent Information Network at 401-270-0101. Children must be under age 3 with a developmental delay or disability. Services cost families nothing, and your child does not need to be enrolled in Medicaid.

When can my teen apply for BHDDH developmental disability services?

The earliest a person can apply is 2 months before their 17th birthday, and services start at age 18. BHDDH requires a diagnosis of an intellectual or developmental disability made before age 22, clinical approval from the Division, and financial eligibility through Medicaid long-term services and supports. The Division approves or denies a completed application within 30 days.

Planning resources

Katie Beckett Medicaid

How the child-only income rule works and who qualifies.

ABA therapy waitlists

What to do while you wait for a clinic opening.

Choose an autism therapy center

Questions to use when comparing clinical fit, staffing, and services.

ABA intake checklist

Bring the right coverage and clinical questions to an intake call.

ABA insurance appeal templates

Templates for requesting a clear coverage decision or review.

ABA therapy cost by state

Compare cost context and coverage questions for Rhode Island.

Early intervention guide

How IDEA Part C services differ from clinic treatment and school services.

ABA first 30 days checklist

A practical record-keeping and communication checklist.

Primary sources

Last reviewed against the linked primary sources on October 18, 2026. Medicaid, CHIP, commercial insurance, self-funded employer plans, military coverage, waiver programs, and school services follow different rules. This page is general information, not legal, medical, or benefits advice.

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