TRICARE ABA Therapy in Jacksonville, FL

How does TRICARE cover ABA in Jacksonville?

TRICARE pays for applied behavior analysis through the Comprehensive Autism Care Demonstration (ACD). Florida is in the TRICARE East Region, and the regional contractor is Humana Military, which handles ABA referrals and authorizations. TRICARE East customer service is 800-444-5445.

Your child qualifies when they are enrolled in a TRICARE health plan and have an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis from a TRICARE-approved provider. Families of active-duty service members, retirees and certain National Guard and Reserve members can use the ACD. TRICARE says the program is currently authorized through December 31, 2028.

• A referral and pre-authorization are required for all ABA, under every TRICARE plan
• Each authorization letter covers six months of ABA
• A new referral from the diagnosing provider is needed every two years
• There are no yearly or lifetime caps on ABA
• All ABA on the same day is subject to one copayment

Rules come from TRICARE’s Autism Care Demonstration page. We confirm your child’s coverage before therapy starts. The full program is explained in our TRICARE Autism Care Demonstration guide.

From diagnosis to first session: the TRICARE steps

1. 1Autism diagnosisFrom a TRICARE-approved diagnosing provider, such as your child’s primary care manager or a specialist. Our [Jacksonville autism evaluation guide](/florida-aba-guide/diagnosis/autism-evaluation-jacksonville/) covers local options.
2. 2Referral to Humana MilitaryThe diagnosing provider sends the ABA referral. ABA cannot start until it is pre-authorized.
3. 3Choose a provider and call usCall 561-337-8865 or [contact us](/contact/). We check your TRICARE benefits for free.
4. 4Outcome measures and assessmentTRICARE requires four baseline measures (PDDBI, Vineland, SRS and a parenting stress index). A BCBA then assesses your child, usually at home.
5. 5Plan and authorizationThe BCBA writes the treatment plan, our clinical director reviews it, you sign it and we submit it to Humana Military.
6. 6ABA beginsSessions usually start within 3 to 5 business days after the plan is approved.

Your Autism Services Navigator from TRICARE coordinates care along the way. Our TRICARE ABA referral checklist lists the paperwork that most often causes delays.