Telehealth ABA for Medicaid Families: Breaking Down Barriers to Autism Care
Why Medicaid Families Face Unique Access Challenges
Medicaid is the largest source of health coverage for children in the United States, covering over 35 million children — including a large proportion of children with disabilities, developmental delays, or special health care needs. While Medicaid is required by law to cover medically necessary services like ABA under the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit, the real-world picture is often complicated.
Many Medicaid families encounter:
✅ Long waitlists — Some states have limited numbers of Medicaid-approved ABA providers, leading to waits of 6–12 months or longer.
✅ Geographic barriers — Rural families may need to drive hours to the nearest ABA clinic.
✅ Transportation or scheduling issues — Parents balancing multiple jobs, caregiving responsibilities, or limited transportation options struggle to make in-person sessions work.
These barriers can delay the start of critical early intervention — which research consistently shows is key to maximizing outcomes for children on the autism spectrum.
How Telehealth ABA Solves These Barriers
Telehealth ABA, also called online or virtual ABA, delivers the same expert care families would receive in a clinic, but through secure video sessions right at home. This model offers Medicaid families several powerful benefits:
- No Waitlists, Faster Start
Telehealth opens access to a larger network of clinicians, allowing families to bypass local provider shortages. Many families can begin services in weeks, not months. - Medicaid-Covered, Affordable Care
Telehealth ABA is covered under most state Medicaid programs, meaning families can access therapy with little to no out-of-pocket cost. - Flexible Scheduling
Online sessions can be arranged around school, work, and family life, providing consistency without the logistical headaches. - Parent Empowerment
In telehealth models, parents work closely with the clinical team, learning strategies and techniques to use in everyday moments — amplifying the impact of therapy.
Forta: Proud to Support Medicaid Families
At Forta, we are committed to making high-quality ABA therapy accessible to every family, no matter their location or financial circumstances. We proudly accept Medicaid in the following states:
- California
- Colorado
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Massachusetts
- Maine
- North Carolina
- New Mexico
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- Vermont
- Wyoming
If you live in one of these states, Forta can help you get started with telehealth ABA — quickly, easily, and with full Medicaid coverage.
Is Telehealth ABA as Effective as In-Person Care?
This is one of the most common questions parents ask, and research is increasingly showing that the answer is yes.
When families are supported and actively engaged, telehealth ABA can deliver outcomes that are equal to, or in some cases better than, in-person services. That’s because telehealth naturally integrates therapy into the home environment, where children spend most of their time. Parents become empowered as partners in care, learning how to apply ABA techniques during everyday routines like meals, play, and bedtime.
In fact, a 2021 study published in Behavior Analysis in Practice found that parents receiving telehealth ABA training reported high satisfaction and positive child outcomes, even during the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Real Stories from Medicaid Families
Consider Emily, a mother of a 3-year-old in rural Kentucky. After waiting nearly 9 months for a local ABA provider, she discovered Forta’s telehealth services. Within just two weeks, her son was paired with a dedicated BCBA and therapy team, and they began working on language and play skills.
Or the Garcia family in urban Illinois, who struggled to juggle work, school, and therapy appointments. With telehealth ABA, they now hold sessions in the evenings after dinner, when their child is most attentive and they’re all at home together.
How to Get Started with Forta
If you’re a Medicaid family seeking ABA therapy, Forta makes the process as simple as possible:
- Schedule a Free Consultation
Meet with our care team to discuss your child’s needs and your family’s goals. - Verify Your Medicaid Coverage
We handle the insurance paperwork and approvals for you. - Get Matched with Your Clinical Team
You’ll be paired with an experienced BCBA and behavior technician, who will create a personalized care plan. - Begin Virtual Sessions at Home
Start your child’s therapy journey — no waitlists, no travel, no hassle.
Final Thoughts: Making ABA Accessible for Every Family
Every child deserves timely access to the care they need to thrive. For too long, Medicaid families have faced unnecessary barriers to accessing ABA therapy — but telehealth is changing that story.
At Forta, we’re proud to stand with families across 18 states, helping them break through the waitlists, logistical challenges, and financial hurdles that stand in the way of autism care. Together, we can help your child begin their ABA journey without delay — and move toward a brighter, more connected future.
