Indiana's Autism Therapy Costs Soar Amid $56M in Improper Payments

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The cost of autism therapy in Indiana has skyrocketed, increasing eightfold in two years.

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Medicaid spending on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy jumped from $14.4M in 2017 to $120M in 2019.

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Projections estimate costs could reach $645M by 2026, prompting urgent state action.

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A federal audit found $56.5M in improper payments due to provider credentialing issues.

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Governor Mike Braun issued an executive order to reform autism therapy funding.

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Indiana will introduce a tiered system to adjust therapy hours based on support needs.

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Parents fear restrictions could impact long-term care for children with autism.

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A working group of experts will create solutions to balance cost control and care quality.

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The changes are part of efforts to address Indiana’s $1B Medicaid shortfall.

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The new program starts April 1, aiming to sustain therapy access while managing expenses.

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