UnitedHealthcare ABA Therapy Coverage in North Carolina

One Less Thing To Deal With

Your child needs support. You need a team that shows up consistently and knows what they’re doing. And you need someone who’ll make sure UnitedHealthcare doesn’t become another obstacle between your family and real progress.

What Kennedy ABA does with your UnitedHealthcare plan:

How we work with UnitedHealthcare

Kennedy ABA manages the insurance process so you don’t spend hours learning billing codes and authorization requirements just to access the care your child needs.

Here’s What We Do:

We verify first

Give us your UnitedHealthcare information, and we'll confirm exactly what's covered before you commit to treatment. No mid-therapy surprises about what UnitedHealthcare will or won't pay for.

We submit authorization requests

UnitedHealthcare won't approve ABA therapy without prior authorization. We know exactly what documentation they need, how they want it formatted, and who to follow up with when they go silent.

We break down your costs

Before your child's first therapy session, you'll know what UnitedHealthcare pays and what comes out of your pocket. Real numbers based on your actual plan—not ballpark estimates that turn into billing problems later.

We handle the administrative chaos

Submitting claims to UnitedHealthcare, following up when on the paperwork, resubmitting when they request more information, appealing when they deny coverage they should approve—we manage it all.

Insurance Management

Our in Network of Insurance Providers in North Carolina

We work with all major insurance providers across North Carolina:

Don’t see yours? We might work with them, too. Just ask

We tackle challenges and transform
lives through

What UnitedHealthcare covers for ABA therapy

When insurance approves ABA therapy, here’s what’s usually covered:

In-Home ABA Therapy

Direct one-on-one sessions with a trained RBT in your home. Where your child works on communication during actual conversations, practices behavior regulation during real transitions, and builds skills in the environment where they need them most.

School-Based ABA Support

Therapy during your child’s school day—in their classroom, during lunch, at recess. We help them succeed in the moments that matter: participating in group work, managing frustration when assignments get hard, and navigating social situations with peers.

Telehealth ABA Sessions

Virtual therapy appointments that maintain consistency when in-person isn’t possible. Your family gets flexibility without sacrificing progress.

Parent Training & Coaching

Direct instruction on the same strategies our therapists use. You’ll know how to reinforce appropriate requests during dinner, how to handle escalation at bedtime, how to support your child’s progress between sessions and after therapy ends.

Coverage varies by plan, but we’ll walk you through exactly what yours includes.

What Makes UnitedHealthcare Different

Two Different Plans

Optum Manages ABA Network

Prior Authorization Required

Commercial Plan Details

Community Plan (Medicaid) Details

How it works

How Kennedy ABA Works in

Reach Out

Contact us to learn about ABA therapy. We'll answer your questions, verify your insurance, and explain what to expect. No pressure, just honest conversation.

Assessment

A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) meets with your family to assess your child's needs, strengths, and challenges. This informs everything we do next.

Personalized Plan

Your BCBA creates a treatment plan tailored specifically to your child's goals. Every plan is different because every child is different.

Therapy Begins

Our Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) provide one-on-one therapy in the setting that works best for your family—whether that's your home, your child's school, or in the community.

Progress Tracking

We measure progress with data—not guesses. You'll see exactly what's improving, what needs adjustment, and how far your child has come.

How to get started with UnitedHealthcare

Step: 01
Contact Kennedy ABA: Call us or fill out our contact form. We'll need your UnitedHealthcare member ID and your child's autism diagnosis documentation.
Step: 02
We contact UnitedHealthcare: We verify your benefits directly with UnitedHealthcare. You'll get clear answers about what's covered.
Step: 03
We submit authorization: We prepare and submit the prior authorization request with all required clinical documentation. Then we follow up with UnitedHealthcare until they process it.
Step: 04
Your child starts therapy: Once UnitedHealthcare approves coverage, we schedule your child's first session, in your home or at school, based on your family's needs and schedule.

What ABA Therapy Helps Kids Learn

Whether your child is nonverbal or struggling with language, ABA helps them express needs, ask questions, and connect with others.

Getting dressed, brushing teeth, following routines—these skills build independence and make life easier for your whole family.

Making friends, sharing, taking turns, reading social cues—ABA teaches the building blocks of meaningful relationships.

When meltdowns happen, ABA gives your child tools to manage big feelings and respond to frustration in healthier ways.

ABA doesn’t just stop challenging behaviors—it teaches replacement skills so your child can communicate what they need without aggression or self-injury.

Following instructions, sitting for tasks, transitioning between activities—these skills prepare your child for success in schools.

Getting the most from your UnitedHealthcare plan

Before starting:

During therapy:

If UnitedHealthcare coverage is limited:

About Us

Why families with UnitedHealthcare trust Kennedy ABA

We've processed hundreds of UnitedHealthcare authorizations. We understand their documentation requirements, typical processing timelines, and how to appeal when they issue questionable denials.

We know how UnitedHealthcare works.

You don't need to become fluent in insurance terminology and medical billing codes. We handle everything UnitedHealthcare-related from initial verification through final claims.

We manage the entire process.

We verify your UnitedHealthcare benefits before therapy begins. You get clear cost information—not vague estimates that turn into surprise billing statements months later.

You know the costs upfront.

In your home during real routines and transitions. At school, during actual lessons and peer interactions. Not in a clinic practicing skills that don't transfer to the environments where your child actually needs them.

Therapy happens where it matters

When UnitedHealthcare denies coverage, we explain the actual reason—which often differs from their official denial letter—and appeal with documentation that addresses their real concerns.

We're direct

FAQ

UnitedHealthcare Coverage FAQs

What will ABA therapy cost with my UnitedHealthcare plan?

Depends entirely on your specific plan details. Some UnitedHealthcare families pay only their monthly premium with no additional costs. Others have copays ($10-50 per session typically), deductibles, or coinsurance percentages. We verify your exact financial responsibility before your child’s first session.

Does my UnitedHealthcare plan require a pediatrician referral?

Some UnitedHealthcare plans do, others don’t. We’ll check your specific plan requirements and help you obtain any necessary referrals.

What documentation does UnitedHealthcare need for authorization?

Typically, an official autism diagnosis, a comprehensive treatment plan from our BCBA, and completed prior authorization forms. Sometimes UnitedHealthcare requests additional records from your child’s physician or educational team. We handle all submissions and follow-up communications.

How long before UnitedHealthcare approves authorization?

Usually 7-14 business days. Sometimes faster when UnitedHealthcare has everything they need immediately. Occasionally, longer if they request supplementary documentation or flag the case for additional review. We push for expedited approvals and keep you informed throughout.

How many therapy hours will UnitedHealthcare authorize?

Most UnitedHealthcare plans in North Carolina approve 10-40 weekly hours, depending on clinical necessity and plan limitations. We request what your BCBA determines your child needs. If UnitedHealthcare approves fewer hours, we appeal with clinical justification.

What happens if UnitedHealthcare denies coverage?

We help you appeal using additional clinical documentation from our BCBA team and your child’s medical providers. Most UnitedHealthcare denials get overturned when you provide the right supporting information.

Can I use UnitedHealthcare HSA or FSA funds?

Yes. ABA therapy qualifies as a medical expense, so UnitedHealthcare HSA or FSA accounts can cover copays, deductibles, and any out-of-pocket costs.

If I don't have UnitedHealthcare, can Kennedy ABA still help?

We work with most major insurance providers in North Carolina. If you have different coverage, we likely work with them. Without insurance, we can discuss self-pay options and payment plans.

Does UnitedHealthcare cover ABA therapy for non-autism diagnoses?

Some UnitedHealthcare plans extend ABA coverage to ADHD or other developmental conditions. Many don’t. We’ll verify what your specific UnitedHealthcare plan covers.

Will UnitedHealthcare coverage eventually run out?

UnitedHealthcare typically covers ABA therapy as long as it remains medically necessary. We monitor your benefits throughout treatment and keep you informed about coverage status.

Is Kennedy ABA in-network with my UnitedHealthcare plan?

We work with UnitedHealthcare throughout North Carolina. During benefits verification, we’ll confirm whether we’re in-network with your specific plan—which typically means lower costs for your family.

When does my UnitedHealthcare authorization expire?

UnitedHealthcare usually authorizes ABA therapy in 3-6 month periods. We track expiration dates and submit renewal requests 30 days early to prevent service interruptions while UnitedHealthcare processes new authorizations.

Still Have Questions?

Let’s get You Covered

Our team has navigated every variety of UnitedHealthcare plan, answered every type of coverage question, and handled every insurance complication imaginable.

This is what we do best, so your child can get the help they need. Fast.