If your insurance card shows Optum, or a UnitedHealthcare plan that lists Optum for behavioral health, you probably want one straight answer: can my child get ABA at Hope Center using this plan? Here is the honest answer as of October 2026, what it means for you today, and what you can do while our Optum ABA status is in progress.
Is Hope Center in network for Optum?
For mental health therapy, yes. For ABA, not yet. As of October 20, 2026, Hope Center is in network with Optum for mental health therapy, and our application to join Optum's network for ABA is in process. That means we cannot tell you that your Optum-managed plan will pay for our ABA services as an in-network provider today. If you are looking for mental health therapy for an adult, a couple or a family, we can check your Optum benefits for free.
Joining a network for a service involves applications, credentialing and contracting. We cannot promise a date or an outcome for the ABA application. If you are an Optum member, call us at 561-337-8865. We will tell you where things stand on the day you call and talk through your options.
What does "not yet in network for ABA" mean for my family?
Network status changes what your plan pays and what you pay. In general:
| Situation | What it usually means | What to ask your plan |
|---|---|---|
| Provider is in network | The plan pays at its in-network rate, with your in-network deductible, copay or coinsurance | Is ABA covered, and does it need prior authorization? |
| Provider is out of network, and your plan has out-of-network benefits | The plan may pay part of the cost, often with a higher deductible and cost share | Do I have out-of-network benefits for ABA? What is my out-of-network deductible and out-of-pocket maximum? |
| Provider is out of network, and your plan has no out-of-network benefits | The plan usually pays nothing for that provider | Are there any exceptions when an in-network provider is not available? |
| You choose self-pay | You pay the provider directly; the plan is not involved | Not applicable; ask the provider for a Good Faith Estimate |
The answer for your family depends on your exact plan, so ask your plan, and ask us to check your benefits for free.
Does Florida's autism law change anything?
Florida's Steven A. Geller Autism Coverage Act (Fla. Stat. 627.6686) requires fully insured large-group plans and group HMOs to cover ABA for autism and Down syndrome for eligible children. It does not apply to individual-market plans, small-employer plans or self-funded employer plans. And even when it applies, the law lets plans use "participating provider requirements", utilization review and other managed care rules. So the mandate can mean ABA is a covered benefit, while the plan can still require you to use its network.
Read more in UnitedHealthcare and Optum ABA coverage in Florida.
My card says UnitedHealthcare or UMR. Is that the same thing?
Not necessarily, so look closely at your card.
- UMR. If your card says UMR, that is a separate case. UMR describes itself as a third-party administrator for self-insured employer groups, and Hope Center works with UMR. Call us so we can check your benefits.
- Behavioral health line. Many cards list a separate name and phone number for mental or behavioral health. That name tells you who manages ABA benefits for your plan. If it says Optum, our Optum status applies: in network for mental health therapy; for ABA, call us for the current status.
- Not sure? Send us both sides of the card. We will figure it out with you.
What can Optum members do now?
- Call us first. Before you do anything else, call 561-337-8865 so we can tell you our current status and check your plan.
- Ask your plan about out-of-network ABA benefits. Use the member services or behavioral health number on your card. Ask whether you have out-of-network benefits for ABA, what the deductible and out-of-pocket maximum are, and whether prior authorization is required. Write down the date, the representative's name and a reference number. Our insurance call script has the exact questions.
- Consider self-pay. Self-pay is available for all of our services, with a sliding scale to help with costs. It does not require a diagnosis. If you pay yourself, federal rules give you the right to a Good Faith Estimate of expected charges, in writing, when you ask for one or schedule at least 3 business days ahead.
- Check for other coverage. A second plan, such as a spouse's employer plan or TRICARE for a military family, may cover ABA. We work with Blue Cross Blue Shield (Florida Blue), Aetna, Cigna (Evernorth), UMR, Personify Health and TRICARE East (Humana Military).
- Get the paperwork ready. Diagnosis report, insurance cards and any doctor's prescription. Then, if our ABA status changes, you are ready to start. See the documents checklist.
Why doesn't Hope Center just bill Optum and waive the difference?
We do not routinely skip deductibles, copays or out-of-network costs. Florida law treats it as insurance fraud for a provider (other than a hospital) to have a general business practice of billing its usual charge while not intending to collect the patient's deductible or copayment (Fla. Stat. 817.234(7)(a)). What we can do openly is explain your costs, offer our sliding scale and talk through payment options. See our sliding scale and self-pay options.
Will this page be updated?
Yes. This page reflects Hope Center's Optum status as of October 20, 2026. Network status can change, so the phone call is always the most current answer. We do not accept Medicaid or Medicare.
Talk to us about your Optum plan
Call 561-337-8865, email office@hopecenteraba.com or request a free consultation and benefits check. Tell us it is an Optum plan, and include both sides of your card. Our insurance page lists the plans we work with today.