Colorado law requires Empire Blue Cross to cover ABA therapy with no age or dollar limits. Budding Futures verifies your benefits for free.
Yes. Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield covers ABA therapy for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in Colorado. Under Colorado's autism insurance mandate (Senate Bill 09-244, effective 2010, and Senate Bill 15-015, effective 2017), private health insurance plans are required to cover the diagnosis and treatment of ASD, including Applied Behavior Analysis. There are no age limits or dollar caps on coverage.
Budding Futures ABA accepts Empire Blue Cross and handles the entire authorization process for your family. Rachel Blackburn, BCBA, and our clinical team submit all required documentation, manage Prior Authorization Requests, and handle appeals if coverage is initially denied. Most families start in-home therapy within 2-4 weeks of their first call.
Empire Blue Cross covers comprehensive behavioral assessments, individualized ABA treatment delivered by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), parent training, and school consultation. Coverage applies to in-home, clinic, school, and community settings. Your plan determines copay amounts, deductible requirements, and authorized hours, which is why Budding Futures ABA verifies your specific benefits before the first session. Our team confirms exactly what your Empire plan covers so there are no surprises. Learn more about our in-home ABA therapy and initial evaluation process.
Three steps. First, call Budding Futures ABA at (720) 613-8837 or fill out the form at the bottom of this page. Second, our intake team contacts Empire Blue Cross directly within 48 hours to confirm your coverage, authorized therapy hours, copay amount, and deductible status. Third, we call you back with a clear breakdown of your benefits so you know exactly what to expect before your child's first session. You do not need to call Empire yourself or navigate their phone tree. We handle all of it. See our full insurance and coverage guide for details on all accepted carriers.
Denials happen, but they are not the end of the road. When Empire Blue Cross denies a prior authorization request, Budding Futures ABA handles the appeal on your behalf. Our clinical team documents medical necessity using standardized assessment data, writes a detailed appeal letter, and submits it with supporting evidence. You can also request a peer-to-peer review, where your child's BCBA speaks directly with Empire's medical reviewer. Colorado law (SB 15-015) is on your side. Insurers are required to cover ABA therapy for autism, and most denials are overturned on appeal. If your family also qualifies for Medicaid, that can serve as a backup option. Read about Colorado Medicaid ABA coverage.
Yes. Budding Futures ABA provides in-home ABA therapy across Colorado, and Empire Blue Cross covers in-home sessions the same way it covers center-based therapy. Your child's Registered Behavior Technician comes to your home for every session. There is no clinic commute, no unfamiliar waiting room, and no disruption to your family's routine. Sessions happen where your child is most comfortable, which research shows leads to better skill generalization. Empire covers the same authorized hours whether therapy takes place at home, in a clinic, or in the community. Learn more about how in-home ABA therapy works.
We verify your Empire Blue Cross benefits for free, confirm your copay and authorized hours, and get your child started with in-home ABA therapy, usually within weeks.