Our Past Successes

Since 2016, LCAAS has made tremendous strides to protect Louisiana families who receive crucial autism services. 

  • Shortly after our launch, we fought and won an important battle with Blue Cross/Blue Shield (BCBS), which was preparing to cut reimbursements for ABA therapy by 18 percent. Medicaid decided to follow suit but with an even greater cut of 25 percent. With one strong voice, LCAAS expressed its opposition and fought back. Both BCBS and Medicaid significantly reduced their proposed cuts and have maintained access for ABA therapy services.

2017:

  • During the 2017 legislative session, LCAAS, working with a team of advocates, educated the State administration and legislators regarding the mission of LCAAS and the importance of ensuring appropriate and sustainable funding for ABA therapy services. Governor John Bel Edwards was made personally aware of the funding challenges facing ABA therapy providers and authored a letter instructing the Louisiana Department of Health to maintain reimbursement rates at historical levels.

  • As LDH prepared to transition the delivery of ABA services to the five Healthy Louisiana managed care organizations in February of 2018, LCAAS members participated in planning and implementation meetings with LDH to ensure timely access to services was not interrupted.

2018:

  • During the 2018 legislative session, LCAAS advocated for passage of Act 696, which was intended to ensure that families of children with autism have access to high-quality ABA therapy services in the school setting.  The bill states that, upon request by a parent, school districts must allow ABA therapy providers who meet certain requirements to provide services during the school day.  LCAAS is committed to ensuring that Act 696 is implemented faithfully by school districts across the state and is actively working with families, providers, and lawmakers to achieve this goal.

  • LCAAS successfully worked with Rep. Cameron Henry of Metairie and other legislators to add language to HB 1, also known as the “Budget Bill,” prohibiting the State from reducing reimbursement rates for ABA therapy below their current levels.  This includes rates paid by the five MCOs that the State has contracted to provide Medicaid ABA therapy services.  By ensuring the stability of current reimbursement rates, this language helped protect the sustainability of services and therefore access to care.

  • In partnership with LaBAA, the Louisiana Behavior Analysis Association, LCAAS advocated for passage of Act 353, authored by Senator J.P. Morrell of New Orleans.  The bill extended the authority of the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board, which oversees the licensure, certification and registration of individuals practicing ABA in the State, until 2028.  Authority for the Board otherwise would have expired in July 2018.  In passing this important piece of legislation, the Legislature and Governor confirmed that State licensure of behavior analysts provides a vital consumer protection for recipients of ABA services, many of whom are children.  The bill also protects reimbursement for ABA services since both governmental and commercial payors require that behavior analysts be licensed in order to qualify for reimbursement.

2019

  • After more than two years of advocacy by LCAAS for sustainable reimbursement policies, BCBS of Louisiana has finally announced that it will allow concurrent billing of BCBA supervision services and line tech therapy services. This change from BCBS brings its policies in line with national guidance from the ABA Services Steering Committee and reimbursement practices in place throughout the country.  BCBS’ revised policy will help ensure that providers are able to continue offering high-quality, sustainable therapy services to children and families in need. Click here for a link to the BCBS of Louisiana announcement.

OUR Current Priorities

  • Access to ABA therapy doesn’t just happen at clinics or in the home. It is imperative that children with autism have access to ABA in whichever setting is most appropriate for the child and the family. LCAAS will continue to support improved access to therapy services in all settings for families affected by ASD.

  • LCAAS is taking an active role to ensure our members remain involved in the MCO transition for Medicaid ABA services, including providing input on issues related to authorizations, credentialing and reimbursement for services.

  • We continue to monitor efforts by public officials, school districts and school administrators to limit access to ABA services in schools and commit to engaging these individuals as necessary to ensure children can access the right services in the right place.

  • While we were able to scale back a reduction in ABA reimbursement rates, we cannot be certain there are not more cuts forthcoming. We will continue to fight for adequate reimbursement rates for ABA therapy from both Medicaid and commercial payors.

  • The Chisholm litigation involving the Louisiana Department of Health was an important milestone in ensuring Medicaid coverage for ABA therapy in Louisiana. Through attorneys, we closely monitor this case to ensure the resulting order is being implemented and enforced appropriately.