Ethical Engagement: Provider Recommendations for Navigating the TRICARE ACD ABA Benefit

Original Air Date: February 25, 2025

Short title:  Navigating the TRICARE ACD ABA Benefit

CEU offered: 1.0 BACB Ethics CEU

Webinar Duration: 60 minutes

Instructors:

  • Maria Fernandez, LBA, MS, BCBA
  • Rebecca Womack, LBA, MS, BCBA


Abstract:

In January of 2025, the TRICARE Autism Care Demonstration (ACD) program was impacted by a shift in one of the contractors overseeing of the benefit as well as what states were classified as the East and West regions. While advance information intended to prepare providers and families was disseminated by the Defense Health Agency (DHA) as well as by the current and new contractors, providers and families are experiencing distinct difficulties having a direct effect on access to care.

Specifically, providers of applied behavior analysis (ABA) services are dealing with numerous barriers related to clients they are serving, their practice, and/or have not received payment for services. Most importantly, this has caused additional stress for the recipient of services, military families, and their children with autism. Ongoing advocacy efforts have helped improve conditions for some providers and the families they are serving, but more work needs to be done.

This presentation will provide an overview of the challenges experienced with the implementation of ABA services, ongoing advocacy initiatives, and ethical recommendations for navigating the complexities related to being a TRICARE provider.

Learning Objectives

  1. Attendees will learn about the challenges TRICARE providers are experiencing related to delivering ABA services.
  2. Attendees will understand some applications of the principles and standards of the Behavior Analysts’ Certification Board® (BACB)® Ethic’s Code for Behavior Analysts.
  3. Attendees will learn of some recommendations for how providers can navigate the current complexities of the TRICARE ABA benefit.


Instructor(s)

Mariel Fernandez, LBA, MS, BCBA

Mariel Fernandez is the Vice President of Government Affairs at the Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP) and a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) licensed in Texas. She earned her master’s degree in applied behavior analysis (ABA) from Auburn University in 2004.  A passionate advocate for improved access to care, Mariel actively supports advocacy, public policy, and legislative initiatives at both the state and federal levels. Since 2008, Mariel has served TRICARE beneficiaries, navigating multiple TRICARE contract and operation manual changes. She draws on these experiences and the relationships she has built through federal advocacy to assist ABA providers in managing T-5 transition challenges across the country. Mariel serves on the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) Behavior Analyst Advisory Board and is the President of the Texas Association for Behavior Analysis Public Policy Group (TxABA PPG). In these roles, she played a crucial part in the successful passage of behavior analyst licensure and the inclusion of autism services, including ABA, as part of the Texas Medicaid benefit.

Rebecca Womack, MS, BCBA, LBA

Rebecca has been privileged to serve adults and children using applied behavior analysis (ABA) in settings such as facility-based care, group homes, day centers, clinics, and family homes both across the United States and overseas. In addition to her clinical experience, Rebecca is passionate about ABA service delivery aligning with generally accepted standards of care. With an expertise in applying health care documentation requirements and systems of compliance, she recently was the author of a chapter on documentation guidelines for ABA services. Rebecca is co-chair of the Documentation Special Interest Group (SIG) for the Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP), a co-leader for the AI/ML Workgroup, an appointed Subject Matter Expert for the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts, and a Member of the Board of Directors for the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). Rebecca also has extensive experience with public policy work. Not only is she an experienced presenter at national conferences, she has also won national awards for her role as an advocate and work to support ABA organizations in delivering quality services. Rebecca formed RAW Consulting Solutions as a way to provide education and consultation services to ABA organizations, professionals, and providers of ABA services. Whatever the role, her ultimate goal is to make a significant impact through effective and efficient services utilizing the science of behavior analysis.