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Does Medicaid Cover ABA Therapy in Arkansas?

Published April 8, 2026

Yes — Arkansas Medicaid covers ABA therapy for children and teens under 21 with an autism diagnosis. Arkansas delivers Medicaid through managed care organizations, with Little Rock and Fayetteville having the largest ABA provider networks. Here's how to access coverage.

Key takeaways

  • Arkansas Medicaid covers ABA for all children under 21 with autism
  • Managed care plans include Arkansas Health and Wellness (Centene), Arkansas Total Care, and QualChoice
  • Arkansas's commercial insurance mandate covers children through age 18
  • Little Rock and Fayetteville have the largest ABA provider networks in AR
  • Adults may access services through the AR Developmental Disabilities Services waiver

Arkansas Medicaid managed care plans

Arkansas Medicaid (Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me — ARHOME) delivers services through managed care organizations:

Arkansas's autism insurance mandate

Arkansas law (ACA § 23-99-415) requires fully-insured commercial health plans to cover ABA therapy for individuals with autism through age 18. Coverage includes diagnosis, assessment, and behavioral health treatment. Families on employer-sponsored plans should confirm whether their plan is fully-insured or self-insured.

How to access ABA through Arkansas Medicaid

  1. Confirm your Arkansas Medicaid plan at medicaid.mmis.gov or call 1-800-482-5431.
  2. Get an autism diagnosis from a licensed professional.
  3. Contact your managed care plan for in-network ABA providers, or search FindABA.
  4. Complete prior authorization — typically 7–14 days for approval.
  5. Services begin at no cost to you.

Arkansas resources

Find Arkansas ABA providers that accept Medicaid

FindABA lists ABA providers across Arkansas showing accepted plans including Arkansas Medicaid, Arkansas Health and Wellness, and QualChoice.

Search Arkansas providers →