We start by conducting a thorough assessment of your child’s current skills, strengths, and areas for improvement. From there, we collaborate with you to design a personalized treatment plan that includes specific goals and evidence-based interventions to help your child make measurable progress in key areas like communication, social interaction, and self-regulation.

Progress varies depending on the child’s needs, goals, and commitment to therapy. Some children may show improvements within weeks, while others may take longer. Our staff continually tracks progress and adjusts the therapy plan to ensure your child is moving toward their goals at the right pace.

Yes, Brave Steps ABA is proud to accept Tricare insurance for ABA therapy services. We are committed to making our high-quality therapy accessible to military families and can assist you with the insurance verification process to ensure you receive the benefits available to you.

The frequency of ABA therapy depends on your child's needs and goals. We typically start with several hours per week and adjust as necessary. This may include individual therapy sessions, group sessions, and parent training, all tailored to ensure the best outcomes for your child.

Yes! We recognize that deployments can be challenging, and we offer flexible scheduling and telehealth services to ensure that therapy continues consistently. We work with each family to provide the support they need, no matter the circumstances.

Your child’s eligibility and enrollment requirements won’t change. Your child must

enroll in ECHO. You’ll have up to 90 days to enroll your child in ECHO.

● All applied behavior analysis (ABA) services must be clinically necessary and

appropriate. The goals must target the core symptoms of autism spectrum

disorder (ASD).

● There are no age limits.

● There are no time limits.

● ABA services are authorized for six months at a time.

● Weekly hours are based on the individual, clinically necessary needs of the

patient.

● Regularly. Your child’s ABA supervisor will complete assessments throughout

the authorization to check on the progress.

● Every six months. Your child’s ABA supervisor will complete an updated

treatment plan assessment to update the treatment plan. Then they’ll request

continuation of ABA services or identify a transition/discharge plan.

● Every two years. You’ll need a new referral from your child’s ASD diagnosing

provider. After this, you’ll need a new authorization for the next six months of

ABA services.

● *but we walk you through it

Parents should work with the provider to make decisions together.

● You must follow referral and authorization guidelines.

● ABA providers can adjust treatment plans.

● Failure to follow the ACD requirements could result in claims denial.

● TRICARE prohibits ABA providers from terminating services without any

transition plan.

We care about what is best for each patient. The contractors will work with families

and providers if continued coverage becomes an issue.

Your child’s coverage and testing requirements are the same. This is true with all

TRICARE plans. Only your costs vary by plan.

Yes. However, it’s only available in very few locations overseas. ABA services

overseas are only authorized for the sole provider model. Tiered ABA services aren’t

authorized overseas, except in U.S. territories. Please contact your regional call

center when seeking ABA services. They’ll walk you through the process.

Your annual catastrophic cap is the most your family pays out of pocket each year for

TRICARE-covered services. You’ll pay one copayment for all ABA services you get

that day. Other services are subject to their regular copayments. The amount will

vary depending on your TRICARE plan. It’ll also vary if you have other health

insurance.

There are a wide range of services available. Contact your diagnosing provider or

your contractor. They can help you find resources and services in your local area.

Remember, every child is different and may need other resources.

The treating provider and the ASN, when assigned, should engage the family with

the resources available to them. There is no penalty if a family declines a

recommendation. However, the recommendations made will likely help the family

progress and meet goals.

What does clinically necessary mean?

To be clinically necessary, a service must be:

● Clinically indicated,

● Appropriate to address the diagnosed condition,

● Doesn’t exceed the beneficiary’s needs,

● Individualized,

● Specific, and

● Consistent with the confirmed diagnosis.

ABA services rendered by a behavior technician in the school setting is not covered. If there is a clinically necessary and appropriate goal, we may authorize a Board

Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), depending on the clinical necessity review. We encourage families to work with their county school board regarding appropriate

school services. You must have pre-authorization for any BCBA ABA services. Your

contractor must approve any goals. The goals must be focused and time-limited.

Generally, the parents are expected to generalize mastered skills on their own. A

BCBA may be authorized for certain community settings, but contact your contractor

for details.

Your child’s eligibility and enrollment requirements won’t change. Your child must

enroll in ECHO. You’ll have up to 90 days to enroll your child in ECHO.

You and your family can access clinical and non-clinical resources, including:

● Contractor-identified local resources

● Parent-mediated programs

● Applied behavior analysis (ABA) services for parents, such as:

○ Telehealth

○ ABA group sessions

If you enrolled your child in the Autism Care Demonstration (ACD) before Oct. 1,

2021 you don’t have to get a new authorization until your next two-year referral

appointment. An approved ACD diagnosing provider must make your child’s next

referral.

You must get documentation for your next referral at your two-year review date. If

your child’s first (ASD) diagnosis comes on or after age 8, the diagnosis must come

from a specialized ASD diagnosing provider.

● Children diagnosed more than two years before you requested applied

behavior analysis services, must get an updated diagnostic assessment.