Yes, insurance covers
ABA therapy
in Arizona.
In fact, 79% of families at Treetop ABA pay $0 out of pocket. Arizona actually
has one of the stronger autism insurance mandates in the country, thanks to
Steven’s Law.

This guide breaks down exactly what Arizona families need to know about ABA
therapy insurance coverage in 2026. We’ll cover Steven’s Law, AHCCCS (Arizona
Medicaid), self-funded plans, and the step-by-step process to verify your
benefits and get started.

Steven’s Law: Arizona’s Autism Insurance Mandate (A.R.S. § 20-826.04)

Arizona passed Steven’s Law in 2008, making it one of the earlier states to
mandate autism insurance coverage. The law requires state-regulated health
insurance plans to cover the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum
disorder, including ABA therapy.

Here’s what the law guarantees:

• Children under age 9: Up to $50,000 per year in
  autism-related services.
• Children ages 9 through 16: Up to $25,000 per year in
  autism-related services.
• No lifetime cap on the total amount of coverage.

These are minimums. Your plan may cover more. The dollar amounts apply to
autism-specific treatments like ABA therapy, speech therapy, and occupational
therapy combined.

A few important details about Steven’s Law:

• It applies to state-regulated insurance plans, including
  most individual and small-group plans purchased through the marketplace or
  through employers with fewer than 50 employees.
• Coverage must include evaluation, assessment, and treatment of autism.
• The law does not set a minimum number of therapy hours. Your approved hours
  depend on your child’s treatment plan and what the insurance company
  authorizes.
• Coverage resets each plan year, so benefits renew annually.

For many families, these caps cover the full cost of a recommended ABA
program. A typical program running 15 to 25 hours per week often falls within
the $50,000 annual limit for younger children.

AHCCCS (Arizona Medicaid): No Dollar Cap

If your child is enrolled in AHCCCS, Arizona’s Medicaid program, you may have
the most comprehensive ABA coverage available in the state.
AHCCCS has no annual dollar cap on ABA therapy.

Under the federal Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment
(EPSDT) benefit, Medicaid must cover any medically necessary treatment for
children under 21. ABA therapy qualifies when your child has an autism
diagnosis and a treatment plan showing medical necessity.

What AHCCCS coverage looks like in practice:

• No dollar limit. Coverage is based on medical necessity,
  not an annual cap.
• Up to 40 hours per week of ABA therapy can be authorized
  when clinically appropriate.
• Covers all service settings:
  center-based,
  in-home, and school-based
  therapy.
• No copays for most AHCCCS members under 19.

AHCCCS delivers services through managed care organizations like Mercy Care,
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, Banner-University Family Care, and Arizona
Complete Health. Your specific managed care plan handles authorizations and
provider networks.

Treetop accepts AHCCCS and most AHCCCS managed care
plans. Our team can help you figure out which plan you have and what steps to
take.

Self-Funded Employer Plans (ERISA)

If you get insurance through a large employer, your plan may be “self-funded.”
This means your employer pays claims directly rather than purchasing a
traditional insurance policy from a carrier.

Self-funded plans are regulated by federal law (ERISA), not state law. That
means Steven’s Law doesn’t technically apply to them. The $50,000 and $25,000
annual caps don’t bind self-funded plans.

That said, most large self-funded plans still cover ABA therapy. Many major
employers voluntarily include autism benefits. The Federal Mental Health
Parity and Addiction Equity Act also requires self-funded plans to cover
behavioral health services at the same level as medical/surgical services.

How to find out if your plan is self-funded:

• Check your Summary Plan Description (SPD), usually available from HR.
• Call your HR department and ask directly.
• Look at your insurance card. If it says “ASO” (Administrative Services
  Only), it’s likely self-funded.

Even if your plan is self-funded, don’t assume ABA isn’t covered. Check your
specific benefits or let our team verify for you.

How to Verify Your ABA Therapy Coverage in Arizona

Before starting ABA therapy, take these steps to understand exactly what your
plan covers:

1. Call the number on the back of your insurance card. Ask
specifically about “Applied Behavior Analysis for autism spectrum disorder.”
General customer service may not know the details, so request the behavioral
health department.

2. Ask these specific questions:

• Is ABA therapy covered under my plan?
• What is my annual benefit limit for ABA services?
• Do I need a referral or prior authorization?
• What is my copay or coinsurance for ABA therapy?
• Is there an age limit on coverage?
• Does my plan fall under Steven’s Law (A.R.S. § 20-826.04)?

3. Get the answers in writing. Ask for a benefits summary or
confirmation email. This protects you if there’s ever a dispute.

4. Ask about in-network providers. Using an
in-network provider means lower out-of-pocket
costs. Treetop is in-network with most major Arizona insurance plans.

If this process feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. Treetop’s insurance team
verifies benefits for Arizona families every day, at no cost to you.

The Authorization Process: What to Expect

Most insurance plans require “prior authorization” before ABA therapy can
start. This is standard. Here’s what the process looks like step by step:

Step 1: Diagnostic evaluation. Your child needs a formal
autism spectrum disorder diagnosis from a qualified professional
(pediatrician, psychologist, or developmental specialist).

Step 2: BCBA assessment. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst
conducts a comprehensive assessment and creates a treatment plan with specific
goals and recommended hours per week.

Step 3: Submit for authorization. The treatment plan is
submitted to your insurance company for review. This includes clinical
justification for the recommended hours.

Step 4: Insurance review. Your insurance company reviews the
plan and approves a specific number of hours. This typically takes 2 to 4
weeks.

Step 5: Therapy begins. Once authorized, your child starts
ABA therapy. Reauthorization is usually required every 6 months, based on
progress reports.

At Treetop, our team handles the entire authorization process for you. Most
families
start therapy within 4 weeks
of their first call.

Common Insurance Plans Covering ABA in Arizona

Arizona families commonly have coverage through these plans, all of which
typically cover ABA therapy:

• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
• UnitedHealthcare
• Cigna
• Aetna
• Banner Health Plans
• Mercy Care (AHCCCS)
• UnitedHealthcare Community Plan (AHCCCS)
• Arizona Complete Health (AHCCCS)
• TRICARE (for military families)

This isn’t a complete list.
Check our full list of accepted insurances or call
us to verify your specific plan.

How Treetop Helps Arizona Families

Navigating insurance shouldn’t be the hardest part of getting your child the
help they need. Here’s how Treetop makes it easier:

• Free insurance verification. We check your benefits before
  you commit to anything.
• We handle authorizations. Our team submits and manages all
  paperwork with your insurance company.
• We accept AHCCCS and most major insurance plans.
  See our full list of accepted insurances.
• 79% of our families pay $0 out of pocket. We work hard to
  maximize your benefits.
• Multiple service options.
  Center-based,
  in-home, and school-based ABA therapy
  therapy.
• 6 Arizona centers across the Phoenix metro area.
  See all Arizona locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does insurance cover ABA therapy in Arizona?

Yes. Under Steven’s Law (A.R.S. § 20-826.04), state-regulated insurance plans
must cover ABA therapy for children through age 16. Coverage limits are
$50,000 per year for children under 9 and $25,000 per year for ages 9 to 16.
AHCCCS covers ABA with no dollar cap.

How much does ABA therapy cost in Arizona without insurance?

ABA therapy can cost $30,000 to $60,000 or more per year without insurance,
depending on the number of hours. However, most families don’t pay anywhere
near that. At Treetop, 79% of families pay nothing out of pocket after
insurance.

Does AHCCCS cover ABA therapy?

Yes. AHCCCS covers ABA therapy for children under 21 when it’s medically
necessary, with no annual dollar cap. Coverage can include up to 40 hours per
week of therapy. There are typically no copays for members under 19.

What is Steven’s Law in Arizona?

Steven’s Law (A.R.S. § 20-826.04), passed in 2008, requires Arizona
state-regulated insurance plans to cover autism diagnosis and treatment,
including ABA therapy. It guarantees up to $50,000 per year for children under
9 and $25,000 per year for ages 9 through 16.

How long does insurance authorization for ABA therapy take?

Authorization typically takes 2 to 4 weeks after a treatment plan is
submitted. At Treetop, our team handles the entire process, and most families
start therapy within 4 weeks of their first call.

Does my employer’s insurance cover ABA therapy in Arizona?

Most employer plans cover ABA therapy, but coverage details depend on whether
your plan is state-regulated or self-funded (ERISA). Self-funded plans aren’t
bound by Steven’s Law but often cover ABA voluntarily. Our team can verify
your specific benefits for free.

Take the First Step

Figuring out insurance is stressful. You shouldn’t have to become an expert in
health policy just to get your child the support they need.

Let Treetop’s team do the heavy lifting. We’ll verify your insurance, explain
your benefits in plain language, and handle all the authorization paperwork.

Call us at (855) 800-9361 or
fill out our contact form to check
your insurance today. There’s no cost and no obligation.