Does Medicaid Cover ABA Therapy in Mississippi?

Published April 8, 2026

Yes — Mississippi Medicaid covers ABA therapy for children and teens under 21 with an autism diagnosis. Mississippi delivers services through the MississippiCAN managed care program. Families in Jackson and the Gulf Coast area have the most ABA provider options. Here's how to access coverage.

MississippiCAN managed care plans

MississippiCAN is the state's managed care program for Medicaid enrollees. The plans covering ABA therapy include:

• Magnolia Health (Centene) — statewide
• Molina Healthcare of Mississippi — statewide
• UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of MS — statewide

Commercial insurance in Mississippi

Mississippi is one of the few states without a commercial insurance autism mandate. Families with children on private insurance should review their plan's behavioral health benefits and ask their insurer specifically about ABA therapy coverage. Federal mental health parity law still requires that covered behavioral health benefits be comparable to medical benefits.

How to access ABA through Mississippi Medicaid

1. Confirm your MississippiCAN plan at medicaid.ms.gov or call 1-800-421-2408.
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.

Mississippi resources

• Mississippi Medicaid: medicaid.ms.gov
• MS CHOICES Waiver: medicaid.ms.gov/medicaid-programs/waiver-programs
• Autism Mississippi: autismmississippi.org
• Medicaid helpline: 1-800-421-2408