Providers of applied behavior analysis, or ABA, therapy say they have gone weeks without payment since Florida shifted administration of their Medicaid funding to Molina Healthcare. The state appointed Molina on Oct. 1 to distribute funds through the Children’s Medical Services program.
Arlene Perez, a registered behavior technician, said she has not received a paycheck for the past month while she continues to work with a 12-year-old autistic boy she has supported for five years. Her agency says most of its claims have gone unprocessed. Perez joined other providers in a rally outside Molina’s office in Doral.
South Florida medical attorney Henry Marines said he communicates with almost 700 providers, and he said they all report the same problem. Marines said Molina should have received the state funding for each recipient at the start of the month, so he questioned the backlog.
Molina Healthcare has not responded to requests for comment. The Agency for Health Care Administration said it is actively investigating payment concerns raised by ABA providers tied to the October 1 transition.
Parents worry that the delays could disrupt care. Joyce Jackson, whose son receives ABA services, said she fears his provider could close. Marines said legal action is probably premature, but he plans to meet soon with senior Molina executives to seek a resolution.
