10 hours per week → $4,800 – $5,200 per month
20 hours per week → $10,000 – $10,400 per month
30–40 hours per week (full-time therapy) → $20,000+ per month

These figures represent what you’d pay if you don’t have insurance or financial assistance. For most families, though, insurance significantly reduces the cost.

With good insurance coverage, the monthly cost might be just a few hundred dollars in co-pays.  For example:

A $30 co-pay per session × 20 sessions per month = $600/month
A plan that covers 100% after a deductible = $0 per session after the deductible is met

Bottom line: If you're paying out of pocket, ABA therapy can cost as much as $50,000–$100,000 per year for full-time services. But with insurance or financial aid, the real cost is usually much lower.

Does Insurance Cover ABA Therapy in Florida?

Yes! Florida requires many insurance plans to cover ABA therapy for children with autism. The Florida autism insurance mandate requires large-group insurance plans and state employee health plans to cover ABA therapy and other autism treatments.

• Coverage includes up to $36,000 per year and $200,000 lifetime maximum
• Many employer-based insurance plans fully cover ABA therapy after a deductible is met
• Copays or coinsurance apply—usually around $20–$50 per session

However, not all insurance plans are required to follow this law. Some self-funded employer plans (ERISA plans) may not offer ABA coverage. Always check with your provider to confirm what’s covered and what costs you’ll need to pay out of pocket.

Financial Assistance & Medicaid Coverage for ABA Therapy in Florida

If you don’t have private insurance or need additional financial help, Florida offers several state-funded programs that can cover ABA therapy or reduce costs.

1. Medicaid Coverage for ABA Therapy

If your child is enrolled in Florida Medicaid, ABA therapy is covered as a medically necessary service. Thanks to a federal law passed in 2014, all Medicaid programs must fund ABA therapy for children who need it.

• Low-income families pay little to nothing for ABA therapy under Medicaid
• Must use a Medicaid-approved ABA provider
• Coverage includes diagnosis, therapy sessions, and progress monitoring

If your child qualifies for Medicaid, ABA therapy could be free or extremely low-cost.

2. Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA)

Previously known as the Gardiner Scholarship, this program provides funding to families of children with autism and other disabilities to use toward:

✔ ABA therapy
✔ Speech therapy
✔ Occupational therapy
✔ Private school tuition

How much does it cover? The scholarship amount varies but typically provides several thousand dollars per year to help pay for services like ABA therapy.

How to apply? Visit the Florida Department of Education website or check with Step Up for Students to apply for the FES-UA Scholarship.

3. Nonprofit Grants & Sliding Scale Programs

Several autism-focused organizations offer grants to help families afford ABA therapy, including:

• Autism Speaks Family Grant Program
• United Healthcare Children’s Foundation
• The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism

Additionally, some ABA therapy clinics offer sliding scale fees based on income, so it’s worth asking your provider if they have any discounts or payment plans.

How to Reduce the Cost of ABA Therapy in Florida

Tips to make ABA therapy more affordable:

✔ Use insurance coverage—Call your provider to verify coverage before starting therapy
✔ Apply for Medicaid or financial aid if you qualify
✔ Look into the FES-UA scholarship (previously Gardiner)
✔ Ask about sliding scale fees or payment plans from ABA providers
✔ Use a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for pre-tax savings on medical costs

Is ABA Therapy Worth the Cost?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the high cost of ABA therapy, you’re not alone. Many families worry about how to afford it—but the good news is that most parents do NOT have to pay full price out of pocket.

With insurance, Medicaid, scholarships, and grants, many Florida families pay very little for ABA therapy—or even nothing at all. The key is to understand your coverage options and take advantage of financial assistance program available in Florida.

At the end of the day, ABA therapy is an investment in your child’s future—helping them build critical life skills, communicate more effectively, and navigate the world with greater independence. And with the right resources, it can be made affordable for your family.

At Little Rays ABA, we believe every child deserves access to high-quality ABA therapy. If you're ready to give your child the support they need, contact Little Rays ABA today for a free consultation!

FAQs

Sources:



• https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/aba-therapy-autism-cost/
• https://ahca.myflorida.com/medicaid/medicaid-policy-quality-and-operations/medicaid-policy-and-quality/medicaid-policy/medical-and-behavioral-health-coverage-policy/behavioral-health-and-health-facilities/behavior-analysis-services-information
• https://disabilityrightsflorida.org/disability-topics/disability_topic_info/behavior_analysis_services
• https://www.autismspeaks.org/autism-grants-families
• https://www.stepupforstudents.org/scholarships/unique-abilities/
• https://www.uhccf.org/