While self-funding your child’s ABA program is an option for some families, many find privately paying for services to be cost-prohibitive. Fortunately, there are several avenues through which families may access partial or full funding for their children’s programs. Below, please find a general overview of your funding options. We realize that this process may be complicated and confusing. We would be happy to speak with you at any time to guide you through these systems to ensure your child may access treatment.
The vast majority of our families access ABA treatment funding via their health care benefits.
ABA is considered a “behavioral health benefit” and is included and deemed medically
necessary by both commercial and Medi-Cal plans. Patient responsibility will vary
depending on the particular insurance plan to which you subscribe. Often, copayments and
coinsurance can be covered via a secondary plan, Medi-Cal, or your local regional center.
FirstSteps is in-network with the majority of California health plans. If we are not contracted,
you may access out-of-network benefits in some cases, or we may be able to initiate a
network or single-case agreement for your child’s services.
