In response to Colorado’s growing challenges with autism care, AnswersNow has launched virtual Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy and caregiver training services statewide. Announced on 9th December 2025, from its Richmond, Virginia headquarters, the expansion provides Medicaid-covered sessions with Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) in as little as five days.
Medicaid policy changes intensify access barriers
Recent policy shifts have made timely access to care more difficult for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- Policy Memo PM 25-005: In July 2025, the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing required that only Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) deliver certain adaptive behavior treatments under CPT Code 97153, effective 31st August 2025. While intended to standardise care, this rule highlighted workforce shortages. Colorado had 5,589 RBTs in August 2025, below the estimated 7,500 needed for Medicaid-enrolled children.
- Prior Authorisation: In September 2025, prior authorisation was reinstated for Medicaid recipients exceeding 24 outpatient therapy sessions per year, projected to save $7 million but criticised for delaying essential care.
- Legal and Advocacy Responses: Providers, including the Colorado Association for Behavior Analysis, filed a lawsuit in October 2025, claiming the changes violate mental health parity laws. In November 2025, advocates rallied at the state Capitol, warning that the cuts could affect up to 1,000 families and exacerbate wait times, which already average 6.8 months and can stretch to 30 months.
AnswersNow’s virtual care model
“Recent Medicaid changes have left families in Colorado scrambling with long waitlists, a lack of clear information, and months before they can get an appointment with a traditional provider,” said AnswersNow CEO Jeff Beck. “AnswersNow is solving that through a virtual care model that connects families with Master’s- and PhD-level clinicians from anywhere in the country for personalised therapy and caregiver coaching in their homes, without the wait.”
Autism spectrum disorder affects approximately 1 in 31 children nationwide, according to the CDC’s 2025 report, making it the fastest-growing developmental disability in the U.S. In Colorado, about 15,000 of 500,000 Medicaid-enrolled children are impacted, reflecting both increased screening and growing demand for services.
Key features of AnswersNow’s platform
- Immediate Support: Families can meet a BCBA within five days and start care in less than two weeks without travel.
- Medicaid Coverage: AnswersNow is approved for both Medicaid and commercial insurance in Colorado.
- Expert Care: Sessions are led exclusively by Master’s- or PhD-level BCBAs.
- Streamlined Onboarding: The platform eliminates administrative hurdles and simplifies approvals.
- Caregiver Training: Parents learn techniques to reinforce therapy at home, helping children progress faster.
- Proven Outcomes: Improvements in communication and behavior skills can be seen within six months, supported by Vineland Scores, using fewer hours and sessions than traditional therapy.
These features address challenges posed by in-person ABA services, which often require long travel and inflexible scheduling. The AI-powered platform enhances engagement while replicating real-world therapy experiences remotely.
“No one with autism should have to wait months for care because there aren’t enough clinicians in Colorado to support its growing population,” Beck added. “We are committed to prioritising the needs of kids in Colorado so they can learn skills that will enable them to thrive.”
Company background and impact
Founded in 2017 by Jeff Beck, a former social worker, AnswersNow has delivered over 100,000 hours of therapy nationwide. Its virtual model reduces costs by minimizing travel and administrative burdens while producing measurable improvements. Research shows that even low-intensity ABA sessions (8–15 hours per week) can yield moderate gains in adaptive skills over two years.
With Medicaid spending on pediatric behavioral therapies in Colorado rising 306% from 2018–2019–2023–2024, scalable solutions like AnswersNow offer families a path to timely, effective, and equitable care. The integration of caregiver training ensures that therapy benefits extend beyond sessions, supporting lasting progress in communication, socialisation, and daily living skills.