Budget cuts may limit therapy access for Indiana children with autism, raising concerns among families and lawmakers.
Evansville: Families in Indiana who have kids with autism are worried. Starting in April, the state’s Medicaid program might limit reimbursements for ABA therapy to just 30 hours a week for three years. That’s a big deal for many families who rely on this support.
Rep. Becky Cash, a Republican from Zionsville, is really upset about this. She believes ABA therapy has been life-changing for her daughter. She can’t understand why there’s a cap on something so crucial. It’s not like other medical therapies have such limits.
State officials say they need to control costs. In 2023, Indiana spent a whopping $639 million on ABA therapy, which is a huge jump from $276 million just two years ago. They’re worried about the sustainability of these expenses.
Federal agencies have noticed the high costs too. An audit found $133 million in questionable claims, and one provider even had to pay $2 million over fraud allegations. So, the state is trying to rein in spending.
Cora Steinmetz, the Medicaid director, mentioned that while ABA is vital for about 7,300 kids, the proposed cap could save the state around $115 million over two years. But not everyone agrees with this approach.
Rep. Cash is planning to introduce a bill to pause the cap until they can assess the potential fallout. She’s not against Medicaid cuts, but she believes they shouldn’t come at the expense of families with special needs.
ABA therapy has been around for decades and helps kids with autism develop skills and reduce challenging behaviors. But as autism diagnoses rise, the demand for these services is skyrocketing, and there aren’t enough providers to meet the need.
Rep. Robb Greene from Shelbyville knows this struggle firsthand. After his son was diagnosed, he was skeptical about ABA therapy. But after seeing improvements, he became a strong supporter. He recalls the joy of hearing his son say “I love you” for the first time.
However, the therapy can look a bit odd to outsiders. For instance, teaching a child to make a request might involve stopping them mid-swing until they signal they’re ready to continue. It’s all about individualized care, but some worry that cutting back on hours could hinder progress.
The recent audit highlighted issues in the ABA industry, particularly around payment oversight. Many claims were flagged as improper, costing the state millions. The state is now working on improving documentation and oversight to prevent these issues in the future.
Despite the challenges, there’s a general agreement that ABA therapy is beneficial. The number of Medicaid-enrolled ABA therapists has surged from 797 in 2020 to over 2,500 by the end of 2024. But with this growth, oversight has struggled to keep pace.
As budget cuts loom, the future of ABA services remains uncertain. Rep. Greene emphasizes the importance of early intervention, arguing that investing in these services now can lead to better outcomes later on. He’s working to educate his colleagues on the long-term benefits of supporting families with children who need these therapies.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Families of Indiana children with autism may face another hurdle soon.
