In The Politics of Autism, I discuss state services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The number of providers is one limiting factor, and something that lawmakers tried to address through bills last session. The number of Medicaid-accepting registered behavioral technicians (RBTs) — the people who work directly with children with autism — has grown from 145 in early 2017 to 535 by late 2018.
But the number of board certified behavioral analysts (BCBAs), who supervise RBTs, has grown at a slower rate, from 26 to 53 statewide. Part of that is because it takes several years to earn a BCBA certification but only 40 hours to earn the RBT certification.
“There’s a need for more providers to participate in Medicaid. And … the economics of the situation suggest that … there is an overall shortage,” said Cody Phinney, pointing to long wait times to find a provider. “And there are providers that have made it clear that they don’t have to participate in Medicaid because there’s so much demand outside of Medicaid.”
Many people blame the shortage on the rate that Medicaid reimburses providers for the services of RBTs. The rate is $31.30 per hour — significantly lower than the $52 per hour that TriCare (military insurance) pays and lower than many neighboring states.
By the time a provider pays for a supervisor, insurance, workman’s compensation, employment taxes and other overhead, many of the actual RBTs are making a starting wage of $12 an hour.
“Not only does the job require training, but it is a demanding and intense job that may include working with individuals who are physically aggressive,” said Gwynne Partos, vice chair of the Nevada Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders.
One RBT who testified to lawmakers said he wanted to keep serving his clients, but found that with all the driving he had to do to three far-flung clients’ homes in a given day, he could make more driving for Uber and Lyft. Another autism service provider lamented the high turnover in the job, saying she was frustrated to see a sign on a recent visit to In-N-Out saying the burger chain offered starting wages of $12 with earning potential for $15.75.The article also discusses the state's autism court.
