Advocacy for Autism Care in Colorado

Although we no longer provide Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services in the Denver area, JumpStart continues to support the community with academic tutoring services through our Accelerated Learning Lab and our Licensed Psychologists continue to provide diagnostic evaluations in the area.

We want our Colorado community to know we are continuing to advocate for systemic change to ensure your children receive the national standard of care.

Since 2022, at least nine Colorado Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) providers have closed their doors due to Colorado Medicaid’s fragmented Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) service model and unsustainable reimbursement rates. Our founder, Dr. Brian Lopez, spoke with Jennifer Brown at the Colorado Sun News in July 2023 about why JumpStart had to close our Englewood, Colorado clinic. Dr. Lopez was able to provide insights into how Colorado Medicaid’s fragmented system causes a disparity of care for individuals with Medicaid vs other commercial insurances, and how Colorado Medicaid restricts the practice of ABA and only partially reimburses for ABA services provided.

Call to Action

• Sign this petition: Children with Autism and IDD Need Services in Colorado…. Save PBT!
• Contact the Governor and tell him we are counting on him for leadership. CLICK HERE for supports provided by the Colorado Autism Services Coalition.
• Contact your local legislature and speak with them about restoring Medicaid payout rates for people utilizing specialized supportive therapy for Autism and those needing diagnostic Autism testing.
• Get involved with Autism Society of Colorado (ASC) as they advocate for access to care for Autistic people. They have representation from their executive board on the committee working with Health Care and Policy Financing (HCPF) to rebalance Medicaid payout rates and access to appropriate professionals for Autism care.

Resources

Colorado Autism Services Coalition – Help Save Autism Services in Colorado

Denver7 News – Families push state to increase funding to autism service providers as several pull out of Colorado

The Colorado Sun – Autism centers are leaving Colorado, landing kids on waitlists while therapists beg for better pay rates

9NEWS – Providers who help kids with autism are leaving Colorado

CBS Colorado – Colorado approaching a health care crisis when it comes to autism services for children

KOAA News5 – Centers for families with autism leaving Colorado, citing lack of needed funding

Greeley Tribune – ‘Taking ABA care makes their lives more difficult’: State’s underfunding of autism therapy challenges families, caregivers