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 New Hampshire Association for Behavior Analysis

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  • Thu, July 03, 2025 4:39 PM | Sabrina Rando (Administrator)

    As you may know, NH DHHS recently announced sweeping changes to ABA services which were originally intended to be effective July 1. Due to quick and consistent feedback from providers and families, that timeline was immediately extended to September 1. For details, see our previous post HERE.

    DHHS has opened a public comment period in the meantime. Because this can feel like a lot of "hurry up and wait;" we want to make sure you have all the information about what we are doing in the background.

    HOW NHABA IS RESPONDING

    • We continue to work closely with the Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP) and the ABA Coding Coalition. Each group has offered their expertise and resources to assist NHABA in advocating as strongly as we can against these proposed changes.

    • With the help of CASP and the ABA Coding Coalition, we will be drafting public comments and will be providing education for NH providers who wish to do the same.

    • We have scheduled meetings with DHHS ahead of September 1, to continue to advocate on behalf of patients and providers.

    FOR PROVIDERS

    • NHABA has partnered with CASP to gather information from NH providers. Help us to deliver a message to DHHS about what these changes will really mean for providers and patients by answering this short survey. If you do not make decisions about network participation, please forward the survey on to the folks in your practice who do.

    • Carefully consider the impacts that this change will have on your practice. Providers must assess the financial impact of these proposed cuts, and make adjustments.

    • Review the ABA Coding Coalition's FAQ document, particularly the sections related to "supervision" and "direction." Be sure that any comment you submit is an accurate representation of the services provided under 97155. The term "supervision" seems to be at the heart of this decision, although it is not a service provided under 97155. Our public comments will be part advocacy, and part education about the critical medically necessary services that we deliver under 97155. 

    • Renew your NHABA membership today to stay informed and to be eligible to attend upcoming events related to this issue. Questions about your membership or our new site? Email admin@nhaba.net

    FOR FAMILIES

    • Your voices are being heard! Keep spreading the word about these changes, and encourage others to tell their stories.

    • CASP has designed a Voter Voice Campaign to help families draft messages directly to the Ombudsman. Tell your own story, and make your voice heard HERE. Nothing makes a bigger difference than real stories from real families like yours.

    STAY TUNED

    • There will be a lot of discussions happening behind the scenes between now and August 15th, when the public comment period closes. Rest assured that the NHABA Board is conferring with experts and folks with a demonstrated history of successful advocacy. We will be bringing everything we learn to DHHS and to you. 


  • Fri, June 27, 2025 3:12 PM | Sabrina Rando (Administrator)

    Attention New Hampshire Medicaid ABA Providers

    On Thursday,  June 26, 2025, New Hampshire Medicaid released the bulletin "Updates to Applied Behavioral [sic] Analysis Service Codes”, announcing changes to multiple ABA service codes. 

    The most concerning of the changes announced was "CPT code 97155 will no longer be reimbursable for supervision of a technician...[as] NH Medicaid does not allow for reimbursement solely for supervision." In a move that signals a misinterpretation of the actual use and definition of the CPT code, rather than seek clarification on the distinction between ‘supervision’ and ‘protocol modification,’  NH Medicaid reclassified the code and will no longer cover the services rendered under 97155.

    Immediately upon receipt of this bulletin, NHABA had gathered resources and expertise including CASP,  The ABA Coding Coalition, past Board members, and representatives from ABA practices across the state.  DHHS heard from those groups, and from you, in a truly impactful way.

    NHABA met with representatives from DHHS to reiterate your messages and to advocate for a complete reversal of this decision. While we are not quite there yet, we are happy to announce that there is time for us to work together to influence this decision. The timeline for implementation of the changes has been extended to September 1, 2025. Between now and then, there are steps that we can all take to effect change. 

    First, DHHS is opening a public comment period. See the announcement and more details about the changes that were not included in the original bulletin here

    We encourage all ABA providers to closely monitor the above linked page and to request a copy of the amended state plan when it is available.

    We also encourage providers to submit their comments about the actual services provided under 97155 (protocol modification as opposed to “supervision”), and the various consequences of eliminating coverage for BCBA oversight and direction. Consider providing insight into the use of 97154 for multiple patients by one provider and how that differs from serving multiple patients individually at the same time in “group settings.” Clear and descriptive narratives from experienced practitioners will help DHHS to fully understand the services that we provide and how they are captured in the CPT codes that they propose changing. 

    In addition to comments from provider groups, please spread the word to individual providers, patients, advocates, family members, and friends. CASP has put together a Voter Voice Campaign where stakeholders can easily make their voices heard. Share this campaignwith providers, and this one with other stakeholders. The tools in the Voter Voice Campaigns make communicating with decision makers simple and straightforward. 

    NHABA is collecting comments from providers and will draft an official response on behalf of members. We invite you to participate by sending along your thoughts to admin@nhaba.net.

    We have more meetings scheduled with DHHS between now and the extended implementation date. Expect to hear from us as we know more. Watch our social media and our website, and renew your membership to make sure you keep receiving updates as this campaign unfolds. 


  • Mon, June 16, 2025 4:48 PM | Sabrina Rando (Administrator)

    Know a Frontline Support Professional who is ready to take the next step in their career? Nominate them to serve on the NHABA Board. Email admin@nhaba.net

  • Sun, June 15, 2025 3:36 PM | Sabrina Rando (Administrator)

    See our Events page for more details.

    Have a question to contribute? Send it in advance to admin@nhaba.net

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