Medi-Cal BHT Access

Are you having trouble accessing Medi-Cal Behavior Health Treatment Benefit for autism?

In September 2014, Medi-Cal started covering Behavioral Health Treatment (BHT) for autism, including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). We have heard from families that accessing diagnosis (A Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation - CDE) and treatment has been difficult, and that families have experienced long delays and waiting lists.

In order to help rectify these changes, we need to hear about your experiences. If you have had any problems accessing care or experienced a wait for services longer than 15 days, please fill out this fast survey. It will take no more than 2 minutes. If you have two or more children trying to access BHT services through Medi-Cal, please fill out the survey twice/multiple times, once for each child.

If you do not have Medi-Cal, please do not complete this survey.

Terms that are used in the survey: Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation (CDE), Behavioral Health Treatment (BHT), Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) - a specific type of BHT, BHT Assessment - the first step of accessing BHT treatment where an assessment is done by the BHT company to write a treatment plan and recommend number of hours. In this survey we combine BHT Assessment and BHT Treatment.

Your answers will be anonymous unless you provide your contact information to request assistance. This survey is being conducted by Autism Deserves Equal Coverage Foundation, a non profit advocacy organization ensuring access to health care for autism.

Question Title

* 1. Has your child been diagnosed with autism?

Yes

No, but I am concerned he/she might have autism

No and I have no concerns about autism (please do not complete the survey)

Question Title

* 2. Does your child have Medi-Cal? (choose only one)

Yes - Primary Managed Care Medi-Cal Plan (e.g., Kaiser, Blue Shield, LA Cares, Health Plan of San Mateo, or any other plan)

Yes - Secondary Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan (e.g., Kaiser, Blue Shield, LA Cares, Health Plan of San Mateo, or any other plan)

Yes - Primary Fee-for-Service Medi-Cal

Yes - Secondary Fee-for-service Medi-Cal

Yes but I don't know which type

No (please do not complete the survey)

Question Title

* 3. Before now, were you aware that Medi-Cal covers diagnosis and behavioral health treatment (BHT) / applied behavior analysis (ABA) for autism?

Yes

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* 4. If you tried to get an comprehensive diagnostic evaluation (CDE) for autism through your Medi-Cal plan were you able to get one?

NA / did not try / already had autism diagnosis

Yes I got one through the Medi-Cal plan

Yes I got one through the private insurance plan

Yes I got one through the regional center

No / not yet / still waiting

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 5. How long did it take to get an appointment for a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation (CDE)?

NA / Did not try / already had diagnosis

15 days or less

15-30 days

1-3 months

3-6 months

6-12 months

>12 months

still waiting

Question Title

* 6. If you tried to get BHT assessment / treatment through your Medi-Cal plan were you able to get it?

Yes I got BHT through the Medi-Cal plan

Yes I got BHT through a private health plan

Yes I got BHT through the regional center

No / not yet

NA / did not try

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 7. How long did it take to start BHT/ABA from the time the diagnostic assessment was complete (or from the beginning if you already had an autism diagnosis)?

15 days or less

15-30 days

1-3 months

3-6 months

6-12 months

>12 months

still waiting

NA / did not try

Question Title

* 8. How old is the child for whom you were seeking BHT?

0-2

3-6

7-10

10-15

16-20

Any other comments about the experience accessing BHT through Medi-Cal?

Question Title

* 9. What county do you live in?

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* 10. If you would like assistance to access an diagnostic evaluation or BHT/ABA treatment through Medi-Cal, please provide your contact information.

No thank you

Yes Please

If Yes, please provide phone number and/or e-mail address