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| A Thorough Description and Outcome Analysis of Insurance-Funded Applied Behavior Analysis Services |
| Monday, May 30, 2016 |
| 2:00 PM–2:50 PM |
| Roosevelt, Hyatt Regency, Bronze East |
| Area: AUT/PRA; Domain: Service Delivery |
| Chair: Valerie R. Rogers (The ABRITE Organization) |
| CE Instructor: Valerie R. Rogers, Ph.D. |
| Abstract: Since the enactment of legistlation in California in 2012, children and young adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder have been able to access applied behavior analysis (ABA) services as covered by their health insurance provider given its proven effectiveness in treating undesirable behavior and promoting skill acquisition. Treatment is now considered medically necessary for these patients. Moreover, a recommendation of treatment hours necessary for optimal treatment is now prescribed by the assessing clinician, based on the client’s skill deficits and behavioral excesses in relation to the research literature, rather than the mandates imposed by the funding source. Though insurance-funded ABA services are more common within California, there remain few program descriptions of these services in relation to patient outcomes. With this in mind, a description of insurance-funded treatment programs and an outcome analysis will be presented for those patients in both focused and intensive ABA programs. Data with respect to cumulative skill acquisition within and across developmental domains will be analyzed and samples of developmental follow-up assessments will be presented. Additionally, participant variables will be highlighted in relation to outcome data. |
| Keyword(s): autism, insurance, outcome analysis, program description |
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A Description and Evaluation of Insurance-Funded Services Provided by an Applied Behavior Analytic Intervention Program |
| JANICE DONEY FREDERICK (The ABRITE Organization), Ginger R. Wilson (The ABRITE Organization), Rebecca S Raas (The ABRITE Organization), Valerie R. Rogers (The ABRITE Organization) |
| Abstract: The current literature lacks descriptions and program evaluations of the ever-growing number of applied behavior analytic (ABA) organizations that are providing these insurance-funded services. The degree to which organizations are adhering to the specific recommendations outlined in the empirical literature related to intervention procedures, treatment hours, qualifications of those overseeing treatment, as well as the frequency of supervision directed to the individual learner and to those providing the treatment is unclear. Furthermore, in relation to the number of organizations providing ABA services, few outcome analyses are presented in the literature. This program description provides information related to an organization providing behavior analytic services funded by insurance. Among other particulars, details related to the number of learners served, assessment and intervention procedures, level and type of supervision provided, training and oversight provided at all levels within the organization, and methods for evaluating outcomes will be shared. |
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| An Examination of Outcomes for Various Types of Learners Enrolled in Insurance-Funded Behavior Analytic Programs |
| Ginger R. Wilson (The ABRITE Organization), Janice Doney Frederick (The ABRITE Organization), Valerie R. Rogers (The ABRITE Organization), SAMUEL GARCIA (The ABRITE Organization), Rebecca S Raas (The ABRITE Organization), Kinga Wolos-Zachmeier (The ABRITE Organization) |
| Abstract: With insurance-based funding and the medical necessity model, learners can now access comprehensive behavior analytic programming and service hours in accordance with the research literature. Despite the availability of the service and the service hours, logistics have come into play presenting more challenges for service delivery. Many of the learners cannot logistically have full, or intensive, Applied Behavior Analysis programs while still attending their full educational placements. Therefore, many learners are receiving fewer hours than recommended by assessing clinicians due to patient availability. This presentation will examine the outcome data for these learners that we have categorized as receiving either intensive or focused intervention services. An analysis of the skills acquired across developmental domains and cumulative skill acquisition will be presented. In addition, the discussion will focus on the percentage of hours received versus hours recommended, in accordance with the specific learner’s gains. |
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Learner Specific Outcome Data: An Analysis of Individual Learner Variables, Skill Acquisition Data, and Standardized Assessment and Reassessment Results |
| VALERIE R. ROGERS (The ABRITE Organization), Ginger R. Wilson (The ABRITE Organization), Janice Doney Frederick (The ABRITE Organization), Rebecca S Raas (The ABRITE Organization), Samuel Garcia (The ABRITE Organization), Kinga Wolos-Zachmeier (The ABRITE Organization) |
| Abstract: The utility of the empirically validated treatment practice of Applied Behavior Analysis in the treatment of children with autism has led to funding for such treatment by health insurance carriers in many states, including California. With the description of such insurance-funded programs along with a more global analysis of outcome data presented thus far, the current paper will provide a more refined analysis of particular learner outcome data. Specifically, outcome data for a representative sample of different learners enrolled in either a focused or comprehensive applied behavior analysis insurance-funded treatment program will be presented and discussed in relation to learner specific variables. Such variables will include duration enrolled in the applied behavior analysis program, treatment hours received per week and month, treatment hours recommended weekly or monthly, standardized assessment results at intake, and standardized follow-up assessments. The need for additional outcome data will also be discussed as well as roadblocks to such analyses. |
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