Does Medicaid Cover ABA Therapy in Michigan?
Published April 8, 2026
Yes — Michigan Medicaid covers ABA therapy for children and teens under 21 with an autism diagnosis. Michigan delivers Medicaid services through a system of regional Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans (PIHPs) and their affiliated Community Mental Health (CMH) agencies. Here's how the system works.
Key takeaways
- Michigan Medicaid covers ABA for all children under 21 with autism
- Behavioral health services including ABA are managed by regional PIHPs and CMH agencies
- Michigan also has a strong commercial insurance autism mandate (PA 141)
- Detroit metro and Grand Rapids have the largest ABA provider networks
- Adults with autism may access services through the MI Choice Waiver
How Michigan Medicaid ABA works
Michigan's behavioral health services — including ABA — are administered separately from physical health through a network of regional Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans (PIHPs). There are 10 PIHPs in Michigan, each covering a defined geographic region. Each PIHP contracts with local Community Mental Health (CMH) agencies to deliver services.
To access ABA through Michigan Medicaid, you work directly with your local CMH agency. Common PIHPs and their regions include:
- Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network — Wayne County (Detroit)
- Oakland Community Health Network — Oakland County
- Macomb County CMH — Macomb County
- Network 180 — Kent County (Grand Rapids)
- HealthWest — Muskegon, Oceana, Newaygo counties
Find your local CMH agency at michigan.gov/mdhhs or by calling 1-800-642-3007.
Michigan's PA 141 — commercial insurance mandate
Michigan Public Act 141 requires fully-insured commercial health plans to cover ABA therapy for individuals under age 18. Coverage must include diagnosis, assessment, and treatment. If your child has private insurance, your plan must cover ABA under Michigan law.
How to access ABA through Michigan Medicaid
- Contact your local CMH agency. Find them at michigan.gov/mdhhs or call 1-800-642-3007. Request a Person-Centered Planning assessment for autism services.
- Get an autism diagnosis from a licensed psychologist, physician, or psychiatrist.
- Person-Centered Planning meeting. You and the CMH team develop a plan of service including ABA hours and provider.
- An ABA provider is assigned or selected. Services begin once the plan is authorized.
Michigan resources
- Michigan MDHHS: michigan.gov/mdhhs
- CMH agency finder: michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/mentalhealth/cmh
- Autism Alliance of Michigan: autismallianceofmichigan.org
- MI Medicaid helpline: 1-800-642-3007
Find Michigan ABA providers that accept Medicaid
FindABA lists ABA providers across Michigan with accepted insurance plans including Michigan Medicaid and major commercial insurers.
Search Michigan providers →