Does Medicaid Cover ABA Therapy in Wisconsin?
Published April 8, 2026
Yes — Wisconsin BadgerCare Plus (Medicaid) covers ABA therapy for children and teens under 21 with an autism diagnosis. Wisconsin has a strong autism insurance climate and a growing ABA provider network centered in Milwaukee and Madison. Here's what families need to know.
Key takeaways
- BadgerCare Plus covers ABA for all children under 21 with autism
- Managed care plans include Molina Healthcare and UnitedHealthcare
- Wisconsin's commercial insurance mandate covers children through age 17
- Milwaukee and Madison have the largest ABA provider networks in WI
- Adults may access services through the Wisconsin IRIS or Community Residential Services waiver
Wisconsin BadgerCare Plus managed care plans
BadgerCare Plus is Wisconsin's Medicaid program for families, children, and pregnant women. Enrollees receive services through managed care organizations by region:
- Molina Healthcare of Wisconsin — statewide
- UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of WI — statewide
- WellPoint (Anthem) — southeastern Wisconsin
- Network Health — Fox Valley and northeast WI
Wisconsin's autism insurance mandate
Wisconsin law (Wis. Stat. § 632.895) requires fully-insured commercial health plans to cover ABA therapy for individuals with autism through age 17. The mandate covers diagnostic and treatment services. Employers with self-insured plans are not bound by this state law.
How to access ABA through BadgerCare Plus
- Confirm your BadgerCare Plus plan at dhs.wisconsin.gov/badgercareplus or call 1-800-362-3002.
- Get an autism diagnosis from a licensed psychologist, physician, or psychiatrist.
- Contact your managed care plan for in-network ABA providers, or search FindABA.
- Complete prior authorization — typically 7–14 days for approval.
- Services begin at no cost to you.
Wisconsin resources
- BadgerCare Plus: dhs.wisconsin.gov/badgercareplus
- WI IRIS Waiver (adults): dhs.wisconsin.gov/iris
- Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin: asgw.org
- Medicaid helpline: 1-800-362-3002
Find Wisconsin ABA providers that accept Medicaid
FindABA lists ABA providers across Wisconsin showing accepted plans including BadgerCare Plus, Molina, and UnitedHealthcare.
Search Wisconsin providers →