The Forward Health Behavioral Treatment Benefit within the Wisconsin Medicaid program provides funding for the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services. Both ESDM and ABA are evidence-based approaches for developing skills, often used to support individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Behavioral Treatment practitioners conduct assessments to identify treatment goals that are relevant to the person served, design interventions based on the individual’s strengths, and use data collection to measure progress and adjust the intervention (when needed) to maximize success. Behavioral Treatment programs are designed and supervised by a licensed professional (such as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst {BCBA}, Psychologist, or Licensed Professional Counselor), and direct intervention is often provided by paraprofessionals called Behavior Technicians.
 
In order to ensure high quality treatment, it is essential that Behavior Technicians receive frequent and on-going monitoring and training from their supervisors. In recognition of the importance of supervision, most private insurance companies and other states’ Medicaid programs fund supervision of Behavior Technicians. When both a Behavior Technician and Supervisor are working with a client and conducting their respective services (direct treatment and supervision) both services are funded by these health insurance providers. 

However, Wisconsin's Medicaid Program/Forward Health does not provide adequate funding for supervision, which is an  essential component of Behavioral Treatment services. Forward Health funds only one service at a time, so when a Supervisor is overseeing a Behavior Technician working with a client, only one service is eligible for reimbursement. The policy of limiting funding to one service at a time makes it difficult for service providers to offer high quality supervision and discourages providers from accepting clients with Forward Health. There is a long history of unequal access to healthcare services for Forward Health members, and this current policy is increasing disparities in treatment access. 

By signing this petition, I agree that Wisconsin's Medicaid Program/Forward Health should fund both direct treatment and supervision services when these services are provided at the same time, in order to increase service access and the quality of Behavioral Treatment services available to children with autism spectrum disorder.