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Does Medicaid Cover ABA Therapy in Louisiana?

Published April 8, 2026

Yes — Healthy Louisiana (Louisiana Medicaid) covers ABA therapy for children and teens under 21 with an autism diagnosis. Louisiana delivers Medicaid through managed care organizations, with New Orleans and Baton Rouge having the largest ABA provider concentrations. Here's how to access coverage.

Key takeaways

  • Healthy Louisiana covers ABA for all children under 21 with autism
  • Major plans include Aetna Better Health, Healthy Blue, AmeriHealth Caritas, and UnitedHealthcare
  • Louisiana's commercial insurance mandate covers children through age 17
  • New Orleans and Baton Rouge have the largest ABA provider networks
  • Adults may access services through the Louisiana New Opportunities Waiver

Healthy Louisiana managed care plans

Healthy Louisiana delivers Medicaid services through managed care organizations. Major plans covering ABA therapy include:

Louisiana's autism insurance mandate

Louisiana law (RS 22:1050.6) requires fully-insured commercial health plans to cover ABA therapy for individuals with autism through age 17. Coverage includes diagnosis, assessment, and treatment services. Families with children on employer-sponsored insurance should verify whether their plan is fully-insured or self-insured.

How to access ABA through Healthy Louisiana

  1. Confirm your Healthy Louisiana plan at healthylasep.la.gov or call 1-888-342-6207.
  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.

Louisiana resources

Find Louisiana ABA providers that accept Medicaid

FindABA lists ABA providers across Louisiana showing accepted plans including Healthy Louisiana, Aetna Better Health, and Healthy Blue.

Search Louisiana providers →