Applied behavior analysis (ABA) assists clients and their families to improve the core symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual or developmental disabilities for which there is evidence ABA is effective, per WAC 182-501-0165. ABA services support learning, skill development, and assistance in any of the following areas or domains: Social, behavior, adaptive, motor, vocational, or cognitive.

The following definitions and those found in chapter 182-500 WAC, medical definitions, and chapter 182-531 WAC, physician-related services, apply throughout this chapter.

Applied behavior analysis or ABA - Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is an empirically validated approach to improve behavior and skills related to core impairments associated with autism and a number of other developmental disabilities. ABA involves the systematic application of scientifically validated principles of human behavior to change inappropriate behaviors. ABA uses scientific methods to reliably demonstrate that behavioral improvements are caused by the prescribed interventions. ABA's focus on social significance promotes a family-centered and whole-life approach to intervention. Common methods used include: Assessment of behavior, caregiver interviews, direct observation, and collection of data on targeted behaviors. A single-case design is used to demonstrate the relationship between the environment and behavior as a means to implement client-specific ABA therapy treatment plans with specific goals and promote lasting change. ABA also includes the implementation of a functional behavior assessment to identify environmental variables that maintain challenging behavior and allow for more effective interventions to be developed that reduce challenging behaviors and teach appropriate replacement behaviors.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) - A condition, as defined by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) or Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood (DC 0-5) criteria.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnostic tool - A validated tool used to establish the presence (or absence) of autism and to make a definitive diagnosis which will be the basis for treatment decisions and assist in the development of a multidisciplinary clinical treatment plan. Examples of autism diagnostic tools include:

(a) Autism Diagnosis Interview (ADI); and

(b) Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS).

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) screening tool - A tool used to detect ASD indicators or risk factors which then require confirmation. Examples of screening tools include, but are not limited to:

(a) Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ);

(b) Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales (CSBS);

(c) Parent's Evaluation and Developmental Status (PEDS);

(d) Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (MCHAT); and

(e) Screening Tools for Autism in Toddlers and young children (STAT).

Centers of excellence (COE) - An individual provider who has been trained, as listed in WAC 182-531A-0800, to establish or confirm the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and that has been designated by the agency as a center of excellence provider. For the purposes of this chapter, center of excellence (COE) refers to an individual provider, not a facility.

Client - For the purposes of this chapter, client means a person enrolled in Washington apple health (WAH).

Family member - A client's parent, guardian, caregiver, or other support person.

Qualifying diagnosis - A diagnosis of an ASD, as defined by the DSM or DC 0-5, or other intellectual or developmental disability for which there is evidence ABA is effective.

The medicaid agency pays for ABA services when the services are:

(1) Covered;

(2) Medically necessary;

(3) Within the scope of the eligible client's medical care program;

(4) Provided to clients who meet the criteria in WAC 182-531A-0400;

(5) Within currently accepted standards of evidence-based clinical practice;

(6) Not duplicative of ABA services paid for by other state agencies using medicaid funds;

(7) Completed in the stages described in this chapter;

(8) Provided by qualified health care professionals, as described in this chapter;

(9) Authorized, as required within this chapter, chapters 182-501 and 182-502 WAC, and the agency's Applied Behavior Analysis Provider Guide; and

(10) Billed according to this chapter, chapters 182-501 and 182-502 WAC, and the agency's Applied Behavior Analysis Provider Guide.

To be eligible for applied behavior analysis (ABA) services, a client must:

(1) Be covered under Washington apple health (WAH);

(2) Provide documentation created by a COE provider that:

(a) Establishes the presence of functional impairment; delay in communication, behavior, or social interaction; or repetitive or stereotyped behavior;

(b) Establishes that the client's impairment, delay, or behaviors adversely affect development or communication, or both, such that:

(i) The client cannot adequately participate in home, school, or community activities because the behavior or skill deficit interferes with these activities; or

(ii) The client's behavior endangers the client or another person, or impedes access to home and community activities; and

(c) An agency-recognized center of excellence (COE) provider has confirmed that:

(i) The client meets all requirements in (a) and (b) of this subsection;

(ii) The client has a qualifying diagnosis;

(A) Autism spectrum disorder; or

(B) Developmental/intellectual disability;

(iii) There is a reasonable expectation the requested services will result in measurable improvement in either the client's behavior, skills, or both; and

(iv) Either:

(A) Less intrusive or less intensive behavioral interventions have been tried and have not been successful; or

(B) No equally effective and substantially less costly alternative is available for reducing interfering behaviors, increasing prosocial skills and behaviors, or maintaining desired behaviors.

(1) Any person may refer a client suspected of meeting the criteria in WAC 182-531A-0400 to a center of excellence (COE) provider for an evaluation.

(2) The individual COE provider must complete a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation and provide:

(a) Documentation showing how the autism spectrum disorder or other intellectual/developmental disability (for which there is evidence ABA is effective) diagnosis was made or confirmed by an approved individual COE provider that includes:

(i) Results of formal diagnostic procedures performed by a provider, including name of measure, dates, and results, as available; or

(ii) Clinical findings and observations used to confirm the diagnosis;

(b) Documentation showing that the client's behaviors or skills deficits adversely affect development or communication, or demonstrating injurious behavior, such that:

(i) The client cannot adequately participate in home, school, or community activities because behavior or skill deficit interferes with these activities; or

(ii) The client presents a safety risk to self or others;

(c) Documentation showing:

(i) Less intrusive or less intensive behavioral interventions have been tried and were not successful; or

(ii) There is no equally effective alternative available for reducing interfering behaviors, increasing prosocial behaviors, or maintaining desired behaviors;

(d) Recommendations that address all of the client's health care needs;

(e) A statement that the evaluating and prescribing provider believes that there is a reasonable expectation that the requested ABA services will result in measurable improvement in the client's behavior or skills; and

(f) A prescription for ABA services. If prescribed, a copy of the COE provider's comprehensive diagnostic evaluation and multidisciplinary clinical treatment plan must be forwarded to the ABA provider selected by the client or the client's guardian under this chapter or provided to the client or the client's guardian to forward to the selected ABA provider.

(3) The COE provider must also include the following items if they possess a copy:

(a) Results of routine developmental screening;

(b) Audiology and vision assessment results, or documentation that vision and hearing were determined to be within normal limits during assessment and not a barrier to completing a valid evaluation;

(c) The name of the completed autism spectrum disorder (ASD) screening tool, including date completed and significant results;

(d) Documentation of a formal cognitive or developmental assessment performed by the COE provider or another qualified provider, including name of measure, dates, results, and standardized scores providing verbal, nonverbal, and full-scale scores; and

(e) Documentation of a formal adaptive behavior assessment performed by the COE provider for developmental/intellectual disability or another qualified provider, including name of measure, dates, results, and standardized scores providing scores of each domain.

(1) If the center of excellence (COE) provider has prescribed applied behavior analysis (ABA) services, the client may begin stage two - ABA assessment, functional analysis, and ABA therapy treatment plan development.

(2) Prior authorization must be obtained from the agency prior to implementing the ABA therapy treatment plan. The prior authorization request must be received no more than 60 days from the date of the assessment and ABA therapy treatment plan. See WAC 182-501-0165 for agency authorization requirements.

(3) The client or the client's legal guardian selects the ABA provider and the setting in which services will be rendered. ABA services may be rendered in one of the following settings:

(a) Day services program, which mean an agency-approved, outpatient facility or clinic-based program that:

(i) Employs or contracts with a lead behavior analysis therapist (LBAT), therapy assistant, speech therapist, and if clinically indicated, an occupational therapist, physical therapist, psychologist, medical provider, and dietitian;

(ii) Provides multidisciplinary services in a short-term day treatment program setting;

(iii) Delivers comprehensive intensive services;

(iv) Embeds early, intensive behavioral interventions in a developmentally appropriate context;

(v) Provides an individualized developmentally appropriate ABA therapy treatment plan for each client; and

(vi) Includes family support and training.

(b) Community-based program, which means a program that provides services in a natural setting, such as a school, home, workplace, office, or clinic. A community-based program:

(i) May be used after discharge from a day services program (see subsection (3)(a) of this section);

(ii) Provides a developmentally appropriate ABA therapy treatment plan for each client;

(iii) Provides ABA services in the home (wherever the client resides), office, clinic, or community setting, as required to accomplish the goals in the ABA therapy treatment plan. Examples of community settings are: A park, restaurant, child care, early childhood education, school, or place of employment and must be included in the ABA therapy treatment plan with services being provided by the enrolled LBAT or therapy assistant approved to provide services via authorization;

(iv) Requires recertification of medical necessity through continued authorization; and

(v) Includes family or caregiver education, support, and training.

(4) An assessment, as described in this chapter, must be conducted and an ABA therapy treatment plan developed by an LBAT in the setting chosen by the client or the client's legal guardian. The ABA therapy treatment plan must follow the agency's ABA therapy treatment plan report template and:

(a) Be signed by the LBAT responsible for the plan development and oversight;

(b) Be applicable to the services to be rendered over the next six months, based on the LBAT's judgment, and correlate with the COE provider's current diagnostic evaluation (see WAC 182-531A-0500(2));

(c) Address each behavior, skill deficit, and symptom that prevents the client from adequately participating in home, school, employment, community activities, or that presents a safety risk to the client or others;

(d) Be individualized;

(e) Be client-centered, family-focused, community-based, culturally competent, and minimally intrusive;

(f) Take into account all school or other community resources available to the client, confirm that the requested services are not redundant or in conflict with, but are in coordination with, other services already being provided or otherwise available, and coordinate services (e.g., from school and special education, from early intervention programs and early intervention providers or from the developmental disabilities administration) with other interventions and treatments (e.g., speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, family counseling, and medication management);

(g) Focus on family engagement and training;

(h) Identify and describe in detail the targeted behaviors and symptoms;

(i) Include objective, baseline measurement levels for each target behavior/symptom in terms of frequency, intensity, and duration, including use of curriculum-based measures, single-case studies, or other generally accepted assessment tools;

(j) Include a comprehensive description of treatment interventions, or type of treatment interventions, and techniques specific to each of the targeted behaviors/symptoms, (e.g., discrete trial training, reinforcement, picture exchange, communication systems) including documentation of the number of service hours, in terms of frequency and duration, for each intervention;

(k) Establish treatment goals and objective measures of progress for each intervention specified to be accomplished in the authorized treatment period;

(l) Incorporate strategies for promoting the learning of skills that improve targeted behaviors within settings as listed in this chapter;

(m) Integrate family education, goals, training, support services, and modeling and coaching family/client interaction;

(n) Incorporate strategies for coordinating treatment with school-based education and vocational programs, behavioral health treatment, habilitative supports, and community-based early intervention programs, and plan for transition through a continuum of treatments, services, and settings; and

(o) Include measurable discharge criteria and a discharge plan.

(1) A provider must obtain prior authorization before delivery of applied behavior analysis (ABA) services. To request prior authorization, a provider must submit the following documents to the medicaid agency or follow the managed care organization (MCO) process:

(a) The comprehensive diagnostic evaluation and multidisciplinary clinical treatment plan completed by the center of excellence (COE) described in this chapter;

(b) The ABA assessment and ABA therapy treatment plan described in this chapter; and

(c) Any documents required by the agency's ABA provider guide.

(2) After the services are prior authorized, the lead behavior analysis therapist (LBAT) or a certified behavior technician implements the ABA therapy treatment plan in conjunction with other care team members. The LBAT is responsible for ongoing communication and collaboration with other care team members to ensure consistent approaches to achieving treatment goals.

(3) If services are rendered by a certified behavior technician, they must:

(a) Assess the client's response to techniques and report that response to the LBAT;

(b) Provide direct on-site services in the client's natural setting (e.g., in the home, office, place of employment, education setting, clinic, or community), or in the day services program;

(c) Be supervised directly by an LBAT for at least five percent of total direct care per week;

(d) Consult the LBAT if:

(i) Considering modifying a technique;

(ii) A barrier or challenge prevents implementation of the treatment plan; and

(iii) Clinically indicated.

(e) Ensure family involvement through modeling, coaching, and training to support generalization and maintenance of achieved behaviors;

(f) Document each visit with the client or family and include:

(i) Targeted behavior, interventions, response, modifications in techniques;

(ii) A plan for the next visit; and

(iii) Behavior tracking sheets that record and graph data collected for each visit.

(1) For the purposes of this chapter, center of excellence (COE) refers to an individual provider, not a facility.

(2) A center of excellence (COE) must be an evaluating and prescribing provider.

(3) The COE provider must be:

(a) A person licensed under Title 18 RCW who is experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders and is:

(i) A developmental pediatrician;

(ii) A neurologist;

(iii) A pediatric neurologist;

(iv) A pediatric psychiatrist;

(v) A psychiatrist; or

(vi) A psychologist; or

(b) A qualified medical provider who meets qualifications in subsection (4) of this section and who has been designated by the agency as a COE provider.

(4) With the exception of providers listed in subsection (3)(a) of this section, ARNPs, physicians, physician assistants, and naturopaths must complete the required COE training authorized by the agency. The COE provider must be prequalified by the agency and meet the following criteria:

(a) ARNPs, physicians, physician assistants, and naturopaths must have demonstrated expertise in diagnosing an autism spectrum disorder by:

(i) Using a validated diagnostic tool;

(ii) Confirming the diagnosis by observing the client's behavior and interviewing family members; or

(iii) Reviewing the documentation available from the client's primary care provider, individualized education plan, or individualized family service plan;

(b) ARNPs, physicians, physician assistants, and naturopaths must understand the medically necessary use of applied behavior analysis (ABA); and

(c) ARNPs, physicians, physician assistants, and naturopaths must be sufficiently qualified to conduct and document a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation and develop a multidisciplinary clinical treatment plan under WAC 182-531A-0500(2).

(5) To be recognized as a COE by the agency, the provider, as listed in (4)(a) of this section, must submit a signed COE Attestation form, HCA 13-0009, to the agency.

(6) To be reimbursed for fee-for-service or agency-contracted managed care organization (MCO) services:

(a) All COE providers must be enrolled with the agency.

(b) All COEs providing services to clients enrolled with an agency-contracted MCO must also be contracted with the MCO, per the MCO contract specifications in accordance with 42 C.F.R. § 438.14.

(7) All ABA providers must meet the specified minimum qualifications and comply with applicable state laws.

(8) The lead behavior analysis therapist (LBAT) must:

(a) Be licensed by the department of health (DOH) to practice independently as a behavior analyst or an assistant behavior analyst with supervision from a licensed behavior analyst or licensed psychologist (see chapter 18.380 RCW) and be an eligible provider according to chapter 182-502 WAC; or

(b) Be a DOH-licensed mental health counselor, DOH-licensed marriage and family therapist, DOH-licensed independent clinical social worker, DOH-licensed advanced social worker, or DOH-licensed psychologist (see chapter 18.380 RCW). Providers listed in this subsection must have a signed Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Attestation form, HCA 13-0008, regarding certification as a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) or a board-certified assistant behavior analyst (BCaBA) on file with the agency.

(9) The LBAT must enroll as a servicing provider under chapter 182-502 WAC, be authorized to supervise ancillary providers, and be:

(a) A DOH-licensed behavior analyst (LBA) (see chapter 18.380 RCW); or

(b) A DOH-licensed assistant behavior analyst (LABA) (see chapter 18.380 RCW).

(10) If the LBAT's role is filled by a LABA, the responsibilities below must be fulfilled by both the LABA and the supervising LBA or licensed psychologist, as required by DOH under chapter 246-805 WAC. The LBAT must:

(a) Develop and maintain an ABA therapy treatment plan that is comprehensive, incorporating treatment provided by other health care professionals, and that states how all treatment will be coordinated; and

(b) Supervise at least five percent of the total direct care provided by the certified behavior technician per week.

(11) The certified behavior technician (CBT) must

be certified by DOH as a CBT under chapter 18.380 RCW in good standing with no license restrictions.

(12) The CBT must enroll as a servicing provider under chapter 182-502 WAC.

(13) The CBT must:

(a) Deliver services according to the ABA therapy treatment plan;

(b) Be supervised by a DOH-licensed professional who meets the requirements under WAC 246-805-330; and

(c) Review the client's progress with the supervisor at least every two weeks to confirm that the ABA therapy treatment plan still meets the client's needs. If changes are clinically indicated, they must be made by the supervisor.

(14) All facility-based day program providers must meet the requirements under WAC 182-531A-0600 (3)(a), and meet the following requirements:

(a) Outpatient hospital facilities must meet the applicable DOH licensure requirements under chapter 246-320 WAC;

(b) Any provider rendering direct ABA services in the facility-based day program must meet the qualifications and applicable licensure or certification requirements as described in this subsection, as applicable;

(c) Any provider serving as a member of the multidisciplinary care team must be licensed or certified under Title 18 RCW; and

(d) Have a signed ABA Day Program Capacity Attestation form, HCA 13-0007, on file with the agency.

(1) The medicaid agency covers only the following applied behavior analysis (ABA) services, delivered in settings described in WAC 182-531A-0600, for eligible clients:

(a) The ABA assessments that determine the relationship between environmental events and the client's behaviors;

(b) The direct provision of ABA services by the therapy assistant (TA) or lead behavior analysis therapist (LBAT);

(c) Initial ABA assessment and development of a written, initial ABA therapy treatment plan, limited to one per year;

(d) Up to four additional ABA assessments and revisions of the initial ABA therapy treatment plan per year, if necessary to meet client's needs;

(e) One lifetime authorization of day treatment services. If a provider's request for covered services exceeds limitations in this section, the agency evaluates the request under WAC 182-501-0169.

(f) Supervision of the TA;

(g) Training and evaluation of family members or caregivers to carry out the approved ABA therapy treatment plans;

(h) Observation of the client's behavior to determine the effectiveness of the approved ABA therapy treatment plan; and

(i) On-site assistance in the event of a crisis.

(2) The agency covers the following services, which may be provided in conjunction with ABA services under other agency programs:

(a) Counseling;

(b) Dietician services;

(c) Interpreter services;

(d) Occupational therapy;

(e) Physical therapy;

(f) Speech and language therapy; and

(g) Transportation services.

(3) The agency does not authorize payment of ABA services that duplicate services provided in another setting.

(4) If a provider's request for covered services exceeds limitations in this section, the agency evaluates the request under WAC 182-501-0169.

The medicaid agency does not cover certain services under the applied behavior analysis (ABA) program include, but are not limited to:

(1) Autism camps;

(2) Dolphin therapy;

(3) Equine therapy or hippo therapy;

(4) Primarily educational services;

(5) Recreational therapy;

(6) Respite care;

(7) Safety monitoring services;

(8) School-based health care services or early intervention program-based services under WAC 182-531A-0600 (3)(b)(iii), unless prior authorized;

(9) Vocational rehabilitation;

(10) Life coaching; and

(11) Treatment that is unproven or investigational (for example, holding therapy, Higashi (day life therapy), auditory integration therapy).

(1) The medicaid agency requires prior authorization (PA) and recertification of the medical necessity of applied behavior analysis (ABA) services.

(2) Requirements for PA requests are described in WAC 182-531A-0700.

(3) The agency may reduce or deny services requested based on medical necessity (refer to subsection (5) of this section) when completing PA or recertification responsibilities.

(4) The following are requirements for recertification of ABA services:

(a) Continued ABA services require the agency's authorization. Authorization is granted in three-month increments, or longer at the agency's discretion;

(b) The lead behavior analysis therapist (LBAT) must request authorization for continuing services 15 calendar days prior to the expiration date of the current authorization. A reevaluation and revised ABA therapy treatment plan documenting the client's progress and showing measurable changes in the frequency, intensity, and duration of the targeted behavior/symptoms addressed in the previously authorized ABA therapy treatment plan must be submitted with this request. Documentation must include:

(i) Projection of eventual outcome;

(ii) Assessment instruments;

(iii) Developmental markers of readiness; and

(iv) Evidence of coordination with providers.

(c) When completing recertification responsibilities, the agency may request another evaluation from the COE to obtain that provider's review and recommendation. This COE provider must review the ABA therapy treatment plan, conduct a face-to-face visit with the client, facilitate a multidisciplinary record review of the client's progress, hold a family/caregiver conference, or request a second opinion before recommending continued ABA services. Services will continue pending recertification.

(d) When completing recertification responsibilities, the agency may retroactively authorize dates of service. Services will continue pending recertification.

(5) Basis for denial or reduction of services includes, but is not limited to, the following:

(a) Lack of medical necessity, for example:

(i) Failure to respond to ABA services, even after trying different ABA techniques and approaches, if applicable;

(ii) Absence of harmful behaviors (e.g., physical aggression to self or others or property destruction), if applicable; or

(iii) Absence of meaningful, measurable, functional improvement changes or progress has plateaued without documentation of significant interfering events (e.g., serious physical illness, major family/caregiver disruption, change of residence), if applicable. For changes to be meaningful they must be:

(A) Confirmed through data;

(B) Documented in charts and graphs;

(C) Durable over time beyond the end of the actual treatment session; and

(D) Generalizable outside of the treatment setting to the client's residence and the larger community within which the client resides; or

(b) A demonstrated lack of engagement as evidenced by the family/caregiver to:

(i) Keep appointments;

(ii) Attend treatment sessions;

(iii) Attend scheduled family training sessions;

(iv) Complete homework assignments; and

(v) Apply training as directed by the therapy assistant or LBAT. Absences that are reasonably justified (e.g., illness) are not considered a pattern.

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) services delivered using telemedicine may be reimbursed by the agency when billed in accordance with the rules regarding telemedicine and store-and-forward technology in WAC 182-501-0300 and the agency's published billing instructions.