A Quick Update from ABA Advocates on 4-3-24:
“The Kentucky Department of Medicaid Services has approved an updated fee schedule that includes a 4.6% increase for all of the ABA CPT codes effective April 1, 2024. While I know that is much less than is needed at this time, it is a step in the right direction, and KY DMS took it using their own authority rather than being compelled by the legislature. Through a completely separate process, the General Assembly approved two significant items in their budget bills last week: 1. Funding for the newly re-established Medicaid Oversight & Review Committee to conduct a Medicaid rate rebasing study in FY 2024-25 and 2. $25 million to implement the Committee’s rate recommendations in FY 2025-26. This could eventually lead to further improvement. “
About ABA Advocates
Purpose: To impact public policy decisions, payment rates and contracting methods, (Commercial Plans and Medicaid Managed Care Organizations), state regulations, state law and state funding to benefit the members of ABA Advocates and the children and families they serve. Also, to promote the ABA profession to government and community stakeholders.
ABA Advocates:
- Is a 501(C) 6 trade association
- Lobbies, educates and advocates on behalf of members
- Assists members with business strategy and development
- Provides networking opportunities with fellow ABA providers
What ABA Advocates Members can expect:
- Focus on achieving appropriate rates and contracts with:
- Commercial Insurance Plans
- Medicaid for BHSOs, Provider Groups (MSG), School Based Funding
- Medicaid Waiver Programs such as SCL, Michelle P, Acquired Brain Injury
- Direct Lobbying to Key Decision Makers with:
- Commercial Insurance Plans and their Government Relations Teams
- Medicaid Managed Care Organizations
- Cabinet for Health and Family Services
- Department for Medicaid Services
- Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities
- Department of Education
- Department of Insurance
- KY ABA Licensing Board
- Governor’s Office
- KY State Legislature
- Provide Government Affairs Consultation to include:
- Political strategy
- Public policy priority development
- Policy/Contracting research and analysis
- Grassroots advocacy development
- Training on effective advocacy and lobbying
- Work with media
What is expected of ABA Advocates Members:
- Be an active participant in ABA Advocates meetings, activities, etc.
- Be an advocate and build relationships with your elected officials
- Maintain confidentiality of information intended for ABA Advocates only
- Share information within your organization and network (action alerts, etc.)
Past Successes:
- Passage of HB 159 in 2010 – Autism Insurance Mandate & Established Licensing Board
- Setting up Licensing requirement to match BCBA requirements
- Passage of Updated Insurance Mandate in 2018 – removed all caps and limits
- Medicaid’s change in policy to no longer require a provider to be a BHSO in order to provide the full ABA model.
Current efforts:
- KY Medicaid – increasing ABA CPT Code rates; correcting Medicaid Fee Schedule