ABA therapy in Illinois
163 ABA therapy providers list a practice address in 1 Illinois city on this list. Pick your city for the full list with phone numbers, then check what Illinois Medicaid (HFS medical card). Most members get care through a HealthChoice Illinois managed care plan. and your insurance pay.
- 163ABA therapy providers
- 1city covered
- $13Medicaid rate per 15 minutes
At 40 hours a week, Illinois Medicaid's technician rate comes to $2,080 of billed ABA, the 5th highest of the 6 states on this list (North Carolina: $3,329.60). Source: Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services fee schedule (2026) and North Carolina's (2026).
Autism centers in Illinois
| City | ABA therapy providers | With analysts at the address | Autism evaluators | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABA therapy in Chicago | 163 | 57 | 171 | Cost in Chicago |
Chains with locations here: Action Behavior Centers. Most providers on the list are independent practices.
Does Illinois Medicaid cover ABA therapy?
Yes. Illinois Medicaid has covered ABA for children with autism since November 1, 2020, in both fee-for-service and managed care plans. HFS calls it Adaptive Behavior Support (ABS). Source: Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services [2].
Who qualifies by age: Children and young adults from birth through age 20. Source: Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.
Diagnosis first: A child needs an autism diagnosis and a doctor's order for ABA. The first request must include a full diagnostic evaluation by a physician or clinical psychologist using a test such as ADOS, GARS, ADI or CARS. If that evaluation is more than 24 months old, a current note on the child's needs is also required. Source: Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services [2].
Early intervention: Illinois Early Intervention (EI), run by the Illinois Department of Early Childhood
Birth up to age 3. Source: Illinois Department of Early Childhood.
A team writes an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) with goals for your child. Services can include developmental therapy, speech therapy and physical therapy. Source: Illinois Department of Early Childhood.
Screening, evaluations and service coordination are free. Family fees for direct therapy are suspended for now, and families at or below 318% of the federal poverty level are never charged. Source: Illinois Department of Early Childhood.
How to start: Anyone can refer a child. Contact one of the 25 regional Child and Family Connections (CFC) offices, or ask your child's doctor for a referral. Source: Illinois Department of Early Childhood.
Illinois Early Intervention (EI), run by the Illinois Department of Early Childhood official page
Waivers for autistic children in Illinois
Support Waiver for Children and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities
A Medicaid waiver that helps children with developmental disabilities stay at home. Services include behavior intervention and treatment, personal support, respite-type temporary help, assistive technology and home changes. Source: Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.
Who qualifies: Illinois children and young adults ages 3 through 21 with an intellectual or developmental disability who live with family and meet an institutional level of care. Family income does not count, but the child's own resources do. Source: Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.
Waitlist: Yes. Families sign up on the PUNS list, and people are picked by how long they have been in the Seeking Services group as funding allows. Source: Illinois Department of Human Services.
People who are Medically Fragile, Technology Dependent (MFTD) Waiver
A Medicaid waiver for children with serious medical needs. It pays for things like respite, in-home nursing, medical equipment, home changes and family training. It does not list ABA. Source: Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.
Who qualifies: Illinois children under 21 at the time they apply who live at home and would otherwise need hospital or nursing facility level care. Source: Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.
The Illinois autism insurance law
215 ILCS 5/356z.14 (Illinois Insurance Code, autism spectrum disorders) Source: Illinois General Assembly.
Which plans it binds: Group and individual health insurance policies and managed care plans regulated by Illinois. Source: Illinois General Assembly.
Age limit in the law: Covers people under 21. Source: Illinois General Assembly.
Dollar limit: The law sets a $36,000 yearly maximum, adjusted each year for inflation. There is no limit on the number of visits. Source: Illinois General Assembly.
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.