In-Home ABA Therapy for Children With Autism in Arkansas
BCBA-supervised, Medicaid and most private insurance accepted, and our team guides you through Arkansas's diagnosis and approval process. We handle the paperwork, so you can focus on your child.
- BCBA-Supervised
- Medicaid & Insurance Accepted
- In-Home, School & Clinic-Based
- Two Locations in Arkansas
Arkansas's path to ABA, made clear
Arkansas has its own approval steps for ABA therapy. Here's what to expect — calmly, and one step at a time. We handle the paperwork at every step, so nothing stalls your child's start.
- 01
Two-prong diagnosis
Arkansas requires two of the following to confirm autism before a child is eligible for ABA therapy: a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist, a speech-language pathologist, or the child's primary care physician (MD/DO). We help families understand and gather what's needed.
- 02
PCP referral & the DMS 641-ER form
Your child's primary care provider completes the DMS 641-ER referral form, the official Arkansas document that opens the path to Medicaid-covered ABA services. We can walk you through what the form asks for so nothing stalls the process.
- 03
Medicaid / PASSE review
Arkansas Medicaid or your assigned PASSE (Provider-Led Arkansas Shared Savings Entity) reviews the diagnosis and referral and approves coverage. Our team coordinates directly with your PASSE and handles the authorization paperwork.
- 04
Private insurance path (if applicable)
If your family uses commercial or private insurance, the requirements differ from Medicaid. Our intake team guides you through that path as well — you never have to figure out which set of rules applies on your own.
Covered by Arkansas Medicaid and most private insurance
We accept Arkansas Medicaid (ARKids First A, TEFRA, and all PASSE networks) along with most private and commercial plans. We handle the authorization paperwork so you can focus on your child.
Arkansas Insurance Notice: We accept Medicaid (ARKids First A, TEFRA, PASSE) and most private and commercial insurance plans. Please note that ARKids First B (CHIP) plans are not part of Medicaid and do not cover ABA therapy. Contact us at 501-298-2559 to verify your specific benefits.
Check your Arkansas insurance coverage
Find your child's plan below to see how Cross River Therapy works with your insurance in Arkansas.
ARKids First A
CoveredFull Arkansas Medicaid coverage. ABA therapy is covered with a qualifying two-prong diagnosis and PCP referral (DMS 641-ER form).
How we help: Our team handles the DMS 641-ER and authorization paperwork directly with Arkansas Medicaid.
TEFRA (Arkansas Medicaid)
CoveredCovers children with disabilities who require an institutional level of care, regardless of family income. ABA therapy is fully covered.
How we help: We can guide your family through the TEFRA authorization process.
PASSE — Empower Healthcare Solutions
Covered via PASSEEmpower is one of Arkansas's Provider-Led PASSE networks for Medicaid beneficiaries with complex behavioral health needs.
How we help: We coordinate directly with your Empower care coordinator for prompt service authorizations.
PASSE — Summit Community Care
Covered via PASSESummit Community Care PASSE network covers intensive behavioral therapy including in-home, school, and center-based ABA.
How we help: We submit prior authorization requests directly to Summit Community Care on your behalf.
PASSE — Arkansas Total Care
Covered via PASSEArkansas Total Care PASSE program covers comprehensive ABA therapy services across the state.
How we help: We work seamlessly with Arkansas Total Care coordinators to initiate care quickly.
PASSE — CareSource
Covered via PASSECareSource PASSE in Arkansas provides behavioral health and ABA benefits for enrolled children.
How we help: Our intake team handles all CareSource clinical documentation and scheduling.
BlueCross BlueShield of Arkansas
AcceptedArkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield covers ABA therapy subject to individual employer and benefit plan rules.
How we help: We verify your BCBS copay, deductible, and authorization rules at no charge.
QualChoice
AcceptedArkansas-based commercial insurer offering ABA therapy benefits for diagnostic autism spectrum disorder.
How we help: We check your QualChoice in-network ABA coverage and required documentation.
Aetna
AcceptedCommercial and employer-sponsored Aetna plans commonly cover medically necessary ABA therapy.
How we help: Our team conducts a direct electronic benefits check with Aetna.
Cigna
AcceptedCigna covers ABA therapy under autism health benefit mandates. Pre-authorization is required.
How we help: We prepare and submit your Cigna prior authorization package.
UnitedHealthcare / Optum
AcceptedUnitedHealthcare behavioral health benefits (administered by Optum) cover ABA therapy.
How we help: We confirm your child's Optum behavioral health benefits in 24 hours.
ARKids First B (CHIP)
Not Covered by MedicaidARKids First B is Arkansas's CHIP program. By state law, it is NOT part of standard Medicaid and does NOT cover ABA therapy.
How we help: Don't lose hope: our intake team can explain alternatives, such as the TEFRA Katie Beckett waiver or secondary coverage.
Don't see your insurance or need us to check your benefits?
Call our Arkansas intake coordinator or submit the quick form above — we verify all benefits for free.
From Arkansas families we've served
"Cross River helped us understand the whole Arkansas approval process. We didn't feel alone in any of it."
"Our BCBA actually listened. The plan was built around our son, not some checklist. We saw real progress."
"Having therapy in our home changed everything. Our daughter is learning in the place she feels safest."
"They handled the Medicaid paperwork so we could just focus on our child. That meant the world to us."
Serving families across Arkansas
With clinics in Little Rock and Bryant, and in-home and school-based services across the region, we're here for families throughout central Arkansas and the surrounding counties.
Not sure if we serve your area? Call us at 501-298-2559 — we'll let you know right away.
Our Arkansas clinics
Frequently asked questions
Real answers from our Arkansas intake team. Don't see yours? Give us a call.
Let's find the way forward for your child.
We'll guide you through Arkansas's approval process, check your coverage, and answer every question. You focus on your child — we'll handle the rest.