Renewing Your TRICARE ABA Referral Every Two Years Without a Gap

TRICARE ABA runs on two clocks. Every six months, your child's ABA provider asks Humana Military to reauthorize services. Every two years, TRICARE also needs a brand-new referral from a diagnosing provider. The six-month cycle is the provider's job, but the two-year referral usually depends on you booking an appointment in time. If it lapses, services can stop while you wait. This checklist shows how to plan both clocks so your child's therapy keeps going.

What exactly does TRICARE require, and how often?

tricare.mil's Autism Care Demonstration page (updated September 21, 2026) lists the ongoing requirements:

Humana Military's ABA provider FAQ for the East Region adds two details. First, the two years are counted "from the initial authorization." Second, the new referral and "a DHA-approved DSM-5 checklist" can come "from the PCM or specialized ASD diagnosing provider." It also says that "prior to the expiration of each six-month authorization period," the ABA supervisor must request reauthorization for the next six months.

Step 1: Find your dates

1. Find your first authorization date. It is on the first ABA authorization letter from Humana Military. You can also see authorization status in the TRICARE East Region beneficiary self-service portal.
2. Add two years. That is your referral renewal deadline. Write it on your calendar and in your phone.
3. Find your current six-month end date. It is on your latest authorization letter. Ask your BCBA if you are unsure.
4. Find your outcome measure dates. Ask the BCBA or your Autism Services Navigator which measures are due at six months and which at 12 months. See TRICARE outcome measures.

Step 2: Use a renewal calendar

The timeline below is an example to adapt. It is not a TRICARE rule, and real wait times for appointments vary. Ask Humana Military how early a renewal referral can be submitted for your child.

Step 3: Book the renewal appointment

TRICARE's ACD page says "A new referral from your ASD diagnosing provider is required every two years," and Humana Military's FAQ allows the PCM or a specialized ASD diagnosing provider. TRICARE-approved diagnosing providers include family practice physicians, pediatricians, pediatric or family nurse practitioners, and specialists such as developmental-behavioral pediatricians, pediatric neurologists, psychiatrists and doctoral-level clinical psychologists.

A script you can use when you call:

"Hi, my child [name, date of birth] gets ABA through the TRICARE Autism Care Demonstration. TRICARE requires a new ABA referral and DSM-5 checklist every two years, and ours is due by [date]. I need an appointment before [a date about two months earlier] so the referral can reach Humana Military in time. Can the doctor complete the DHA-approved DSM-5 checklist at that visit?"

Bring to the appointment:

• the original diagnosis report;
• your most recent ABA progress report and treatment plan;
• recent outcome measure results, if you have copies;
• your current authorization letter; and
• a short note on how your child is doing at home and school.

Step 4: Confirm the referral arrived

A referral that sits in an office fax tray will not help. After the visit:

1. Ask the office the date it sent the referral.
2. Check the East Region beneficiary self-service portal, or call Humana Military at 1-800-444-5445.
3. Tell your BCBA the referral has been received, so the next reauthorization can be timed with it.
4. Save a copy for your records.

What if the referral is late or something goes wrong?

• The diagnosing provider is no longer available. Humana Military's FAQ lets the PCM provide the renewal referral and DSM-5 checklist. Ask your PCM, or ask Humana Military for a TRICARE-authorized diagnosing provider.
• You are moving (PCS). Ask your Autism Services Navigator for moving support, which tricare.mil lists as part of the navigator's care plan, and check your two-year date before you go. See PCS to Florida with ABA.
• The sponsor is retiring. You must re-enroll in a TRICARE plan within 90 days. See leaving the military.
• An authorization lapsed. Call Humana Military and your BCBA the same day to ask what is needed to restart. Humana Military's FAQ notes that if outcome measure requirements cannot be met, an associate on the ACD team helps resolve the issue, but ABA cannot be authorized if the barriers are not resolved.
• You were not offered care in time. tricare.mil says that if you aren't offered care within the 28-day specialty care access standard, or want a different provider, contact your regional contractor.

For the same six-month process under civilian plans, see ABA reauthorization every six months. For first-time referrals, see getting a TRICARE ABA referral in Florida.

Keep a renewal folder

One folder, paper or digital, saves time at every renewal and every move:

• diagnosis report and every referral;
• every authorization letter, in date order;
• treatment plans and progress reports;
• outcome measure results;
• your Autism Services Navigator's contact details and comprehensive care plan; and
• a one-page list of key dates: next six-month end date, next 24-month referral date.

How Hope Center helps with TRICARE renewals

Hope Center for Behavior Change is in network with TRICARE East (Humana Military). Our BCBAs write and update each treatment plan, and our clinical director reviews every plan before it goes to TRICARE. Parents meet with us for weekly parent training, which is a good time to check upcoming dates and outcome measures together. Tell us your referral date when you start, and you can text or call your RBT, BCBA or our front desk with questions. Learn more on our TRICARE ABA page, request a free consultation or call 561-337-8865.