ABA therapy in Florida
1,713 ABA therapy providers list a practice address in 3 Florida cities on this list. Pick your city for the full list with phone numbers, then check what Florida Medicaid (Statewide Medicaid Managed Care, or SMMC, plus fee-for-service) and your insurance pay.
- 1,713ABA therapy providers
- 3cities covered
- $12.26Medicaid rate per 15 minutes
At 40 hours a week, Florida Medicaid's technician rate comes to $1,961.60 of billed ABA, the lowest of the 6 states on this list (North Carolina: $3,329.60). Source: Agency for Health Care Administration fee schedule (2024) and North Carolina's (2026).
Autism centers in Florida
| City | ABA therapy providers | With analysts at the address | Autism evaluators | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABA therapy in Orlando | 255 | 78 | 58 | Cost in Orlando |
| ABA therapy in Miami | 1,242 | 143 | 90 | Cost in Miami |
| ABA therapy in Tampa | 216 | 65 | 65 | Cost in Tampa |
Chains with locations here: Acorn Health, Autism Learning Partners, BlueSprig, Butterfly Effects, Hopebridge, Kyo Autism Therapy. Most providers on the list are independent practices.
Does Florida Medicaid cover ABA therapy?
Yes. Florida Medicaid covers behavior analysis (ABA) under the state plan, with extra care possible under EPSDT for children. Since February 1, 2025, children in an SMMC health plan get it through their plan. Children not in a plan get it through fee-for-service. Source: Agency for Health Care Administration [2] [3].
Who qualifies by age: Children and young adults under 21 Source: Agency for Health Care Administration.
Diagnosis first: A doctor or child psychologist must refer the child. The referral needs a doctor's order for behavior analysis and a full diagnostic evaluation (called a CDE) led by a licensed practitioner. A behavior assessment must also be done before therapy starts. Source: Agency for Health Care Administration.
Early intervention: Florida Early Steps
Birth to 36 months Source: Florida Early Steps.
Early intervention for babies and toddlers with delays, disabilities or at-risk conditions. Services include screening and evaluation, service coordination, home sessions, and occupational, physical and speech therapy. Source: Florida Early Steps.
There is no income limit to qualify. Most services happen in your home at no cost to your family. Source: Florida Early Steps.
How to start: Anyone involved in the child's care, including parents and doctors, can make a referral. Source: Florida Early Steps.
Waivers for autistic children in Florida
iBudget Florida Waiver
A Medicaid home and community-based waiver run by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD). It can pay for medically necessary behavioral, therapy, medical, social and living services. Source: Agency for Persons with Disabilities.
Who qualifies: Florida residents age 3 or older with a developmental disability that APD serves, including severe forms of autism. Source: Agency for Persons with Disabilities.
Waitlist: Yes. People found eligible are placed in pre-enrollment (a waiting list) based on their priority category. Source: Agency for Persons with Disabilities.
The Florida autism insurance law
Fla. Stat. 627.6686 (Steven A. Geller Autism Coverage Act) Source: The Florida Legislature.
Which plans it binds: Group health insurance plans sold by licensed insurers. It does not apply to individual market plans or small employer plans. Source: The Florida Legislature.
Age limit in the law: Under 18, or 18 and older and still in high school if diagnosed by age 8 Source: The Florida Legislature.
Dollar limit: $36,000 a year and $200,000 lifetime, adjusted each January 1 for medical inflation Source: The Florida Legislature.
A state law like this doesn't reach self-funded employer plans, which follow federal rules instead. Ask HR whether your plan is fully insured or self-funded.
Scholarship money for therapy: Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA). Autism is a qualifying condition, and families can use it for therapists and specialists.
Source: Step Up For Students.