Recent legislative updates have made insurance reimbursement for applied behavior analysts easier and more accessible. Effective April of 2012, Michigan’s Act Number 100 recognized Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA®s) as being eligible for reimbursement when providing behavioral health treatment for clients with autism. While the bill was first introduced with annual reimbursement caps, the latest version of the bill, which went into effect October 15th that same year, eliminated any monetary caps on behavior analysis services for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders.
Under this state law, HMO plans, large employer plans, small employer plans, individual insurance plans, and state employee insurance plans must reimburse autism treatment provided by board-certified ABAs for all covered individuals through age 18 with no monetary limits.
The federal Medicaid program also provides insurance coverage for services provided by BCBA®s, and specifically recognizes them as a professional class. Medicaid guidelines do not place a limit on the number of applied behavior analyst treatment hours eligible for reimbursement. Furthermore it will cover any applied behavior analysis treatment if the provider accepts Medicaid.
Experienced board-certified behavior analysts (BCBA®s) in Michigan can earn salaries as high as $85,070 a year, according to 2021 statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Salaries for Experienced BCBA®s in the Largest Metropolitan areas of Michigan
The range of salaries for board-certified behavior analysts with ten years of experience in the field are shown below (median to top 10% – current as of May, 2021):
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn:
- 50th: $85,070
- 75th: $121,410
- 90th: $128,150
Lansing-East Lansing:
- 50th: $62,350
- 75th: $79,260
- 90th: $79,260
Starting Salaries for BCBA®s in the Largest Metropolitan areas of Michigan
The most highly paid BCBA®s in Michigan who lack job experience in the field of behavior analysis can command salaries that exceed the median salary among highly experienced BCBA®s in the state. Salary data shown below for entry-level ABAs is current as of May 2021 (10th percentile to median):
Lewiston-Auburn:
- 10th: $39,590
- 25th: $42,270
- 50th: $85,070
Portland-South Portland:
- 10th: $48,920
- 25th: $48,920
- 50th: $62,350
2021 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Psychologists, All Other reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed January 2023.