ABA Waitlist vs. Insurance Approval
There are two separate waits, not one. First is the clinic waitlist for an open slot. Then the insurer or Medicaid must approve coverage before therapy can begin.
Most families do not know these are different, controlled by different people. Budding Futures runs both clocks at once for Colorado families, so the approval work happens while a spot opens, not after.
The clinic slot and the insurance approval run on separate timelines.
The two waits, side by side
| Clinic ABA waitlist | Insurance or Medicaid approval | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | The wait for an open therapy slot | The wait for the payer to authorize coverage |
| Who controls it | The ABA provider and its staffing | Your insurer or Health First Colorado |
| Typical timeframe | About 5.5 months nationally | Required before start; approval lasts up to 6 months |
| What you can do | Join more than one list, ask about openings | Submit the assessment and plan of care early |
How approval works in Colorado
Under Health First Colorado, ABA needs a prior authorization request, or PAR, before any service starts. A reviewer checks the assessment and plan of care, and an approved PAR lasts up to six months before it must be renewed.
Prior authorization is a known delay. The American Medical Association has pushed insurers to speed up these reviews because they hold up care across medicine, not just ABA.
We handle the PAR paperwork for you and start it early. Our team knows Colorado payers, so the insurance step does not become a second long wait on top of the first.
Start both clocks today
Call Budding Futures and we will begin your insurance or Medicaid approval while we line up in-home ABA across Colorado.