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Colorado ABA Medicaid rates

Not yet verified1 cut/limit

Current published Medicaid rates, dated changes, and what they mean. Last checked Oct 20, 2026.

Current rates

97153 · Technician direct therapy (RBT)

Not yet verified. We haven't confirmed a current 97153 rate for Colorado from an official source yet. Have the fee schedule? Send it.

97155 · Protocol modification (BCBA)

Not yet verified. We haven't confirmed a current 97155 rate for Colorado from an official source yet. Have the fee schedule? Send it.

What it means

For clinic owners

A federal OIG audit found at least $77.8M in improper FFS ABA payments (2022-23), and HB26-1412 lets HCPF recover overpayments using statistical extrapolation for audits started after July 1, 2026. Documentation quality is now a financial risk: session notes, credentials and referrals. A proposed move to 95% of comparable-state rates was reported in March 2026; status not yet confirmed.

For BCBAs & RBTs

Expect stricter documentation and credential checks; the OIG specifically cited incomplete or cloned session notes.

Change log

  • Audit / recoveryEnactedJul 1, 2026

    Extrapolated overpayment audits authorized (HB26-1412)

    For audits started after July 1, 2026, HCPF may recover pediatric behavioral therapy overpayments (2022-23 services; 2024-25 if a pattern is found) using statistical sampling and extrapolation.

    Source: Colorado General Assembly: HB26-1412 · Verified: official source · checked Oct 20, 2026
  • Proposed cutProposedMar 25, 2026 (Date is the article's publication date (2026-03-25), not an effective date.)

    Proposed: cut ABA rate benchmark from 100% to 95% of comparable states

    Legislative staff estimated ~$2.7M general-fund savings by paying 95% of the comparable-state average. Status not yet confirmed.

    Source: Colorado Association of Health Plans (news repost) · Reported: news source · checked Oct 20, 2026
  • Audit / recoveryPublishedFeb 1, 2026

    Federal OIG: $77.8M improper ABA payments

    HHS OIG estimated Colorado paid at least $77.8M in improper FFS ABA payments for children (plus $207.4M potentially improper), citing documentation, credentialing and referral gaps.

    Source: HHS OIG report A-09-24-02004 (Feb 2026) · Verified: official source · checked Oct 20, 2026

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Sources