INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The state is asking for input as it tries to reign in soaring Medicaid costs from a popular autism therapy.

A 21-member working group assembled by the Indiana Family and Social Services Association (FSSA) is studying ways to cut costs for Indiana Medicaid while maintaining access to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy. 

The group is holding its third public listening session on Thursday, July 24, in Evansville; and has conducted two previous listening sessions, one in Valparaiso with another in Richmond.

Lesley La Fleur, who has a 13-year old son with autism, felt like the lack of public sessions and choice to not schedule any in Indianapolis was intentional. 

“If they really were concerned with what we had to say they would put [the sessions] in a pretty populated area where a lot of these caregivers are actually using these services,” La Fleur said. 

After I-Team 8 reached out with her complaints, the FSSA said it’s now adding public sessions: one in Indianapolis and another statewide session that will be held online. Both new sessions are still being scheduled. In the meantime, all Hoosiers can email their thoughts to abaworkinggroup@fssa.in.gov

Indiana Medicaid expenditures for ABA spiked from $14.4 million dollars in 2017 to $120 million in 2019, according to FSSA, and is projected to hit $645 million by 2026. 

It’s why the state placed new restrictions on ABA in February, including a three year cap on coverage and weekly limits based on diagnosis. As News 8 reported at the time, FSSA Sec. Mitch Roob said the three-year cap could be lifted before families hit their limit in 2028. 

“Clearly, there is a problem they’re trying to mitigate,” La Fleur said. “I would say just don’t take it out on the children.”

News 8 reached out to multiple members of the working group to ask about the feedback they’ve received so far. One member said they were asked not to speak publicly about the working sessions or outcomes. 

The working group will submit their recommendations to the Gov. Mike Braun by November.

Thursday’s listening session is from 3-4 p.m. at Ivy Tech Evansville, 3501 N First Ave., in room 107.

About The Author

See author's posts