Colorado · Health First Colorado

Medicaid ABA therapy, with no copay.

Health First Colorado covers medically necessary ABA for members under 21. We are in-network, and we handle the paperwork with your region for you.

  • No copay for Health First Colorado members under 21
  • In-network - we submit prior authorization for you
  • In-home, telehealth, school, and community ABA

Prefer to talk now? Call (800) 513-8804

Free coverage check

Leave your name and number. A BCBA will call you back, usually within one business day. No cost, no obligation.

Three steps to your first session.

  1. 1

    We call you back

    A BCBA calls you, usually within one business day, to hear about your child and answer your questions. No pressure, no cost.

  2. 2

    We check your coverage

    We confirm your Health First Colorado eligibility and region, then submit prior authorization for you. There is no copay for members under 21.

  3. 3

    Assessment, then therapy starts

    Your BCBA completes an assessment and writes a plan built around your child. Most Colorado families begin services within 2-4 weeks.

How Medicaid ABA works.

Health First Colorado (Colorado Medicaid) covers medically necessary ABA therapy for members under 21 through the EPSDT benefit. There is no copay, no age cap under 21, and no annual dollar cap when services meet medical-necessity criteria.

An autism diagnosis is not required. A documented developmental or behavioral condition - such as developmental delay - and a referral from your child's doctor can be enough, and children under 3 can qualify if they are at risk for delay. Services need prior authorization, and you do not need to figure out your region or the forms yourself - our intake team does that. How ABA works without a diagnosis.

Colorado has four Medicaid regions (RAEs) as of July 2025: Colorado Access (Denver metro), CCHA (Boulder, Broomfield, Jefferson, El Paso), Northeast Health Partners (Larimer, Weld), and Rocky Mountain Health Plans (Western Slope). Call us and we will confirm coverage for yours.

What we handle for Medicaid families

  • Eligibility and region check - free
  • Prior authorization and re-authorizations
  • Coordination with your RAE case manager
  • Help finding a diagnostician if you need one

Colorado parents ask.

Does Colorado Medicaid cover ABA therapy?

Yes. Health First Colorado covers medically necessary ABA for members under 21 through the EPSDT benefit, with no copay and no annual dollar cap. Prior authorization is required, and we handle it.

Are you in-network with Health First Colorado?

Yes. Call (800) 513-8804 or use the form above and we will confirm coverage for your region.

Do I need an autism diagnosis first?

No. Health First Colorado covers behavioral therapy, including ABA, when it is medically necessary for a documented condition such as autism, developmental delay, intellectual disability, or another developmental or behavioral condition. Children under 3 can qualify if they are at risk for delay. You will need a referral from a doctor, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or licensed psychologist enrolled with Health First Colorado.

Which Medicaid region am I in?

It depends on your county. Denver, Adams, Arapahoe, and Douglas are Colorado Access; Boulder, Broomfield, Jefferson, and El Paso are CCHA; Larimer and Weld are Northeast Health Partners; the Western Slope is Rocky Mountain Health Plans. We confirm it for you.

Ready when you are

Tell us a little about your family and a BCBA will call you, usually within one business day. Prefer to talk now? Call (800) 513-8804, Mon-Sat 8am-7pm.

Ready to start ABA in Colorado?

Our intake team will verify your insurance, coordinate with your pediatrician, and assign a BCBA.

Check my coverage Call (800) 513-8804
Call (800) 513-8804 Free consult