TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Earlier this month, Governor Braun laid out his plans for Medicaid that could affect ABA therapy. Now he has signed an executive order regarding rising costs.
Last week, Indiana’s Governor signed an order, he hopes, will contain rapidly rising Medicaid costs for Applied Behavior Analysis while attempting to maintain quality care.
ABA helps people on the autism spectrum better socialize, communicate, and develop everyday skills.
Unlocking the Spectrum in Terre Haute specializes in ABA therapy.
Maeggan Haase, a Regional Behavior Analyst at Unlocking the Spectrum, said they currently individualize each plan for their students and hope that process does not go away.
“That’s how it currently works”, Haase said. “We do an intake, and we do an initial assessment, then we do an authorization based on that client’s individual needs already.”
A mother of a child currently in ABA therapy, Macy Evans, said it’s helped her son complete many social and emotional milestones. She hopes the executive order won’t stop other families from getting the help they need.
“When people receive a diagnosis, I don’t want them to be afraid of it”, Evans said. “I want them to seek early intervention, I want them to seek ABA therapy. I want them to seek whatever therapy will benefit their child, their family member, so that they can get those services and improve their quality of life.”
Governor Braun’s executive order will establish a working group of parents, lawmakers, and subject matter experts to find solutions to the soaring costs of ABA therapy to Medicaid.
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