Does TRICARE Cover ABA Therapy?

What military families need to know about TRICARE and ABA therapy.

Brave Steps ABA Blog

If you're a military family navigating an autism diagnosis, you're likely asking one of the most common questions: Does TRICARE cover ABA therapy?

The short answer is yes: TRICARE does cover Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for children diagnosed with autism. As a parent, knowing what to expect can help reduce overwhelm and ensure your child gets the support they need as quickly as possible. 

At Brave Steps ABA, we're here to walk you through the process.

Who Is Eligible for ABA Therapy covered by TRICARE?

ABA therapy is covered under TRICARE's Autism Care Demonstration (ACD) for eligible beneficiaries. Families may qualify if they:

• Have a child with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from a TRICARE-authorized diagnosing provider
  
  
• Are enrolled in TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select (we currently accept both under the Humana Military East region)
  
  
• Are active duty, retired, or eligible under other TRICARE guidelines

Not sure which TRICARE plan you have? Visit TRICARE’s official site to learn more or contact our team for help navigating the process.

What Steps Do Families Need to Take to Begin ABA Therapy?

Getting started with ABA through TRICARE includes a few required steps, but don’t worry - we guide you through every part of it. 

Here’s what the process generally looks like:

1. Get an official autism diagnosis
   Your child must be diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder by a TRICARE-authorized provider. That provider will also need to submit the appropriate documentation directly to TRICARE.
   
   
2. Request a referral for ABA therapy
   A Primary Care Manager (PCM) or specialist submits a referral for ABA therapy. If you know which provider you’d like to work with (like Brave Steps ABA), the referral should name that provider and include “ABA therapy” as the requested service.
   
   
3. Enroll in additional support programs, if applicable
   
   

• EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program)
  
  
• ECHO (Extended Care Health Option)
  
  
• Autism Services Navigator through TRICARE

Once approved, you’ll be referred for an initial ABA assessment - a comprehensive evaluation where our Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) identify meaningful goals and treatment plans in collaboration with you as the caregiver.

Looking to understand what ABA actually looks like day to day? Check out our blog: What Does ABA Therapy Look Like?

What Does TRICARE Cover?

Coverage may vary slightly based on your specific plan:



• TRICARE Prime: Often offers full coverage for ABA therapy with minimal to no out-of-pocket expenses.
  
  
• TRICARE Select: May include a small copay per session.

Regardless of your plan, Brave Steps ABA works to ensure families are fully informed before services begin.

Where Can ABA Services Happen?

At Brave Steps ABA, we focus on in-home ABA therapy in the greater Tampa, Florida area. We do not currently offer clinic-based services.

TRICARE has specific guidelines around where services can be provided:



• In-home sessions: Typically covered based on the BCBA’s clinical recommendations
  
  
• Community-based sessions: May require prior approval and are determined on a case-by-case basis
  
  
• School collaboration: Allowed only if the school permits it and only by a BCBA (not behavior technicians)

We’ll help you determine what’s clinically appropriate and allowed under your specific authorization.

What Is the Autism Care Demonstration?

TRICARE’s Autism Care Demonstration (ACD) is the program that manages ABA therapy for military families. It ensures services are evidence-based, ethically delivered, and outcome-driven.

To learn more, visit TRICARE’s official Autism Care Demonstration page.

Let Us Help You Take the First Brave Step

Navigating insurance can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Brave Steps ABA, we specialize in supporting military families and are proud to partner with TRICARE to deliver compassionate, high-quality ABA therapy.