Nevada raises pay for techs working with autistic children

CARSON CITY — The state Health and Human Services Department has announced that it has raised the rate to recruit technicians needed for a new Medicaid-sponsored autism program to $31.31 per hour, up from an initial proposal of $29.61 per hour.

The methodology supporting the new rate was being submitted Monday to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid for the early intervention services that will begin Jan. 1 for as many as 1,879 Nevada children.

The agency increased the rate following an outpouring of critical comments from parents and professionals who will oversee the new program. They said the pay was inadequate to recruit and train the paraprofessionals needed to work one-on-one with children.

Critics have argued the rate needs to be at least $40 per hour to ensure the program will succeed, and they were disappointed with the revised hourly rate.

"While we appreciate receiving some recognition that our concerns are legitimate by increasing the rate beyond the originally proposed $29.60, the proposed rate is far short of the amount which providers have testified is needed to induce them to offer these services through the Medicaid program," a coalition of autism groups representing parents said.

Many providers have indicated they will not be able to offer services to Medicaid eligible children at this rate, the groups said.

Officials with the Division of Health Care Financing and Policy argue the rate is adequate and will result in a successful program.

In announcing the new rate, the agency included two letters from providers who will offer services under the new Medicaid program.

The new rate for the Applied Behavior Analysis services for children with autism spectrum disorder was announced by Richard Whitley, director of the Department of Health and Human Services.

"This is a significant step forward for treating the children of Nevada whose lives can be greatly improved by receiving this type of therapy," Whitley said. "And it will be a great benefit to their families. We thank the community for their passion and involvement in this process."

The agency has acknowledged that workforce development to produce the number of professionals needed to implement the program will be an ongoing challenge.

Funding for the program was approved by the Nevada Legislature during the 2015 session as part of an overall push to improve autism treatment for about 6,000 children.

Nevada Medicaid will reimburse for ABA services rendered to Medicaid eligible individuals younger than 21 in accordance with Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment coverage authority. The coverage includes assessments, evaluations, individual interventions and family treatment. There are no co-pays or annual/lifetime limitations.

Nevada Medicaid worked closely with the community and providers over several months through public workshops. Input was evaluated along with national standards, consistent rate methodologies and other data to determine the rate that will be paid to registered behavior technicians, the paraprofessionals who implement behavior plans directly with clients.

The state has 113 credentialed individuals supervised by a physician, psychologist, licensed behavior analyst or assistant behavior analyst.

Contact Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3900. Find him on Twitter: @seanw801.