ABA Therapy Centers in Tennessee

TennCare Applied Behavior Analysis

TennCare lists Applied Behavior Analysis among its behavioral health services, available based on medical necessity. TennCare and its three health plans run one shared ABA program, so the same documentation rules apply whichever plan your child has. Your provider submits the request to your child's plan, which reviews it before treatment begins. Ask each provider which of the three plans it contracts with before you book an assessment.

• Diagnosis: made by a qualified health professional, based on current DSM-5-TR criteria.
• Treatment plan: written by a BCBA licensed in Tennessee and dated within 30 days of the start date.
• Reassessment: an updated evaluation using standardized tools at least every two years.

Tennessee's autism insurance law and the parity bulletin

Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-7-2367 requires plans that cover neurological disorders to cover autism treatment for people under 12, with deductibles, copayments and benefit limits no stricter than for other neurological disorders. The statute sets no dollar cap. In an August 2019 bulletin, the Department of Commerce and Insurance told carriers that medically necessary, non-experimental ABA must be covered at parity under § 56-7-2360. Self-funded employer plans follow federal ERISA rules, so ask HR whether your plan is fully insured in Tennessee.

The Katie Beckett Program, Parts A and B

The Katie Beckett Program helps children under 18 with disabilities or complex medical needs, even when their parents earn too much for Medicaid. Part A is for children with the most significant needs: it brings full Medicaid benefits plus up to $15,000 a year in home and community-based services, and an income-based family payment may apply. Part B does not include Medicaid and provides up to $10,000 a year in services. Apply on TennCare Connect, which also screens the child for Medicaid.

• West Tennessee Regional Office: (866) 372-5709.
• Middle Tennessee Regional Office: (800) 654-4839.
• East Tennessee Regional Office: (888) 531-9876.

TEIS: Tennessee Early Intervention System

TEIS is Tennessee's voluntary IDEA Part C program, run by the Department of Disability and Aging, and its services cost families nothing. It accepts referrals for children up to age three. Children already enrolled can stay through the start of the school year after they turn five under the TEIS Extended Option. Refer online or call (800) 852-7157 with the child's name, date of birth, county and reason for referral.

Individualized Education Account (IEA)

The IEA gives families of students with disabilities public education funds for approved expenses, such as tuition at a participating private school or educational therapies. New applicants must live in Tennessee, be entering kindergarten through grade 12, and have an active IEP that lists a qualifying disability, such as autism, as the primary or secondary disability. The program has no income requirement and is open statewide. Call the IEA team at (615) 253-3781 to ask whether a specific therapy qualifies.

Licensed Behavior Analysts in Tennessee

Tennessee licenses behavior analysts through the Applied Behavior Analyst Licensing Committee of the board of examiners in psychology. An LBA must hold BCBA or BCBA-D certification, and an LABA must hold BCaBA certification and work under LBA supervision. Rule 1180-05-.03 requires a current Tennessee license before practicing, unless an exemption applies. Ask a provider for the supervising behavior analyst's Tennessee license number.