Submitted by: Beth Vaughan

The ABA community received great news last week! The NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act) Report included the directive for TRICARE to roll back ABA reimbursement rates to their level on March 31, 2016 upon the date of enactment of the NDAA Conference Report (when the President signs the Bill into law) and that those rates remain in effect until December 31, 2018!

The final language is a nice blend of the House and Senate NDAA bill language and directs TRICARE to use data gathered during the Autism Demonstration Program – and comparative commercial insurance claims (not rates) for the purposes of setting future reimbursement rates, review any beneficiary limitations on access to ABA at various military installations, determine whether ABA has improved outcomes for covered beneficiaries and to submit this analysis to the House and Senate Armed Services Committee.

This is not a guaranteed quick act, but this is excellent development! Stay tuned, as we will keep you posted as we learn more. Thanks again for your efforts in making this happen, Missy and Jamie!