Medicaid Ruling in Florida
A federal judge has ordered that the agency that administers Medicaid in Florida cover an autism treatment it had previously rejected.
U.S. Judge Joan Lenard ruled Friday that applied behavioral analysis be covered by Medicaid. The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration had refused to cover ABA for three plaintiffs, claiming it was an "unproven treatment."
Lenard held that ABA was a proven and highly effective treatment of children with autism. ABA
uses techniques to help people with autism develop relationships and learn specific skills.
Attorney Neil Kodsi, who represents the plaintiffs, says the judge's order isn't just a victory for Florida's 8,000 autistic children but could set a precedent for cases throughout the country.
Emails seeking comment from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration weren't immediately returned.
