Fiscal notes requests from ranking minority members of standing legislative committees authorization

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jim Abeler and 1 co-sponsor

Expands Minnesota CHIP/Medicaid to cover applied behavior analysis (ABA) for children, pending CMS approval of a state plan amendment and related rulemaking.

Referred to State and Local Government

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Overview

SF 484, introduced March 3, 2025, seeks to expand access to applied behavior analysis (ABA) services for children by incorporating ABA into state health coverage options under Minnesota’s CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) and Medicaid framework. The bill would require state plan amendments with the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and establish rulemaking to ensure ABA is a covered benefit in a qualifying child health plan.

What the bill would do

Add ABA services to the list of covered benefits for children within CHIP, via a state plan amendment submitted to CMS for approval.

Require the Minnesota Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Medical Assistance Advisory Council, in consultation with HHS, to adopt rules to include ABA services as a covered benefit in a qualified child health plan included in a benchmark or benchmark-equivalent plan, in compliance with Title XXI of the federal Social Security Act.

Mandate HHS to submit the Medicaid state plan amendment to CMS to obtain federal approval to cover ABA services under CHIP.

Key provisions

Section 1: amends current statute to add ABA services as a new subparagraph to authorize coverage.

Section 2: directs HHS to pursue and obtain CMS approval to provide ABA services under CHIP, and to implement rules via the Medical Assistance Advisory Council for inclusion in a benchmark or benchmark-equivalent plan.

Affected parties

Children who rely on CHIP/Medicaid in Minnesota, particularly those who would benefit from ABA therapy (commonly certain children with autism or developmental disorders).

ABA providers and related healthcare professionals.

Minnesota Department of Health and Human Services, and the Medical Assistance Advisory Council.

Insurers and state programs administering CHIP/Medicaid benefits.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: Introduced March 3, 2025; referred to Health and Human Services (with a subcommittee appearance on March 10, 2025). Sponsor: Senator Petersen (primary); companion bill HF 627.

Process: Requires federal CMS approval via a Medicaid state plan amendment before ABA can be covered under CHIP; includes rulemaking by the advisory council in coordination with HHS.

Timelines for CMS action are not stated in the bill and would depend on CMS review and approval.

Related legislative action

Companion bill: HF 627 (House).

Related committee activity includes a subcommittee meeting on March 10, 2025, indicating ongoing consideration.

This bill would represent a notable expansion of coverage for ABA services under Minnesota’s public health programs, contingent on successful state plan amendments and federal approval.

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