Indiana pauses enrollment of new autism therapy providers amid rising costs

By Leslie Bonilla Muñiz, Indiana Capital Chronicle

(INDIANA CAPITAL CHRONICLE) — Indiana’s Family and Social Services Administration on Tuesday announced it will pause enrollment of new autism therapy providers for at least six months, beginning Saturday.

Applied behavior analysis therapy is often used to improve communication and learning skills in children and young adults with autism or other developmental disorders.

More than 6,000 Hoosiers were accessing ABA therapy through Medicaid as of January, according to FSSA slides — costing the agency upwards of $35 million that month alone.

“Indiana has seen an incredible surge in ABA spending over the past several years — a trend that raises concerns about sustainability and program integrity,” FSSA Deputy Secretary Eric Miller said.

He described the moratorium as a “targeted, responsible step to ensure that growth in ABA services remains accountable and aligned with the needs of Hoosier families.”

The move, approved by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, also applies to ownership changes for existing providers, according to the news release.

“By pausing new agency enrollments, we are taking action to streng...