Public Policy Priority:  Funding

Autism New Jersey leads advocacy efforts to increase the availability of funding of services for children and adults with autism. We work closely with state officials, service providers, insurance carriers, and other advocates to ensure that medically necessary behavioral services are available to those in need. Improving the funding for services for individuals with autism will always be a public policy priority for Autism New Jersey.

Current Focus

  • Insurance and Medicaid coverage of ABA
  • Medicaid spending in CSOC and DDD
  • Special education in public and private schools for students with disabilities
Autism New Jersey led advocacy efforts to secure or enact:
Medicaid/NJ FamilyCare coverage of medically necessary ABA treatment for children with autism (ages 0-21 years), which went into effect on April 1, 2020.

We continue to work closely with NJDHS and the participating MCOs to provide guidance and ongoing assistance with implementation.
Reimbursement rate increase for behavior technician services covered by Medicaid/NJ FamilyCare.
Reimbursement rate increase for doctoral-level behavior analysts providing services within CSOC’s Intensive In-Home (IIH) program.
P.L. 2009 c. 115, which governs health benefits coverage for autism and other developmental disabilities.

This pivotal statute was championed by former Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts, Jr. After the legislation was signed into law by Governor Corzine, Autism New Jersey worked with the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) to provide technical assistance on provider qualifications for ABA services.

In early 2010, DOBI issued a bulletin, based in part on Autism New Jersey’s recommendations, that gave implementation guidance to carriers, families, behavior analysts, and other providers.
Expanded ABA coverage to include individuals with autism ages 21 and over and removed limitations on how many treatment visits per year an individual with autism may receive for occupational, physical, and speech therapy.