Oklahoma Medicaid ABA Reimbursement Rates (2026)
From official Oklahoma Medicaid sources. Updated July 2026.
These are the published Oklahoma Medicaid rates for applied behavior analysis (ABA) services. Rates are shown as published. For per-15-minute rows, multiply by 4 for the hourly rate; rows priced per hour, per session, or per assessment are labeled in the table.
Oklahoma ABA Fee Schedule
| Code | Service | Rate | Unit | Effective | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97151 | Behavior identification assessment (LBA/BCBA only) Rate verified exactly on 4/1/2026 Title XIX schedule (MAX FEE); only effective date updated from stored 2026-01-01. | $23.55 | per 15 min | 2026-04-01 | source |
| 97153 | Adaptive behavior treatment by protocol (technician-delivered) Rate verified exactly on 4/1/2026 Title XIX schedule (MAX FEE); only effective date updated from stored 2026-01-01. | $17.35 | per 15 min | 2026-04-01 | source |
| 97155 | Adaptive behavior treatment with protocol modification Rate verified exactly on 4/1/2026 Title XIX schedule (MAX FEE); only effective date updated from stored 2026-01-01. | $23.55 | per 15 min | 2026-04-01 | source |
| 97156 | Family adaptive behavior treatment guidance Rate verified exactly on 4/1/2026 Title XIX schedule (MAX FEE); only effective date updated from stored 2026-01-01. | $23.55 | per 15 min | 2026-04-01 | source |
How Oklahoma Compares
| Code | Oklahoma | National median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 97151 | $23.55 | $29.14 | 19% below national median |
| 97153 | $17.35 | $15.00 | 16% above national median |
| 97155 | $23.55 | $24.18 | 3% below national median |
| 97156 | $23.55 | $22.50 | 5% above national median |
Market Context
Oklahoma has had an autism insurance mandate since 2010. About 516,707 children in Oklahoma are enrolled in Medicaid. Autism prevalence is 2.9% (2022 data). ProviderSpark lists 97 verified ABA provider locations in Oklahoma.
Getting Paneled with SoonerCare (Oklahoma Medicaid); ABA is available through both traditional fee-for-service and the SoonerSelect managed-care program, which launched statewide on April 1, 2024
Oklahoma splits ABA enrollment across two systems, and you’ll need to touch both if you want the full SoonerCare book of business:
- Create an OHCA provider portal account through the Provider Enrollment Site.
- Apply under provider type “Applied Behavior Analyst,” choosing the BCBA or BCaBA specialty, and upload your national BACB certification plus your OLBAB-issued Oklahoma license or certificate. Details are on the ABA application page.
- If you’re already contracted with OHCA for other SoonerCare services, you’ll need a separate contract specifically for ABA — OHCA requires this explicitly.
- Once you have a rendering provider ID, submit prior-authorization requests using OHCA’s ABA template. Only four CPT codes are authorized: 97151, 97153, 97155, and 97156. Requests can go in up to 7 days before the start date — OHCA will not back-date late submissions. See the prior authorization policy.
- To see SoonerSelect managed-care members, credential and contract separately with the relevant MCO — see SoonerSelect.
How Oklahoma Delivers ABA
Oklahoma runs a hybrid model. Some members stay on fee-for-service billed directly through OHCA; most moved into SoonerSelect managed care at its statewide launch on April 1, 2024. The three MCOs are Aetna Better Health of Oklahoma, Humana Healthy Horizons of Oklahoma, and Oklahoma Complete Health (a Centene subsidiary that also runs the SoonerSelect Children’s Specialty Program — automatic coverage for kids in foster care or DHS/OJA custody, adoption-assistance recipients, and former foster youth ages 18-26). Which system a client falls under changes your process: an OHCA fee-for-service authorization looks nothing like getting credentialed and paid by Aetna, Humana, or Oklahoma Complete Health, so plan to credential with all three MCOs if you don’t want to turn away SoonerSelect referrals.
Billing Notes
Only four CPT codes are prior-authorized: 97151 (initial FBA), 97153, 97155, and 97156. Concurrent billing of 97153/97155/97156 has been allowed since September 1, 2022. Authorizations typically run up to 6 months and default to a 30-hour-per-week ceiling unless you show medical necessity for more; every denial gets reviewed by a physician and a BCBA consultant. Telehealth is confirmed reimbursable — in-person, telehealth, or a hybrid are all allowed if you document why the modality benefits the member.
Two quirks to plan around: RBTs and BCaBAs cannot bill Oklahoma Medicaid directly (payment goes only to the contracted, licensed BCBA or group, and only the BCBA may bill 97151), and providers already OHCA-contracted for other SoonerCare services need an entirely separate contract for ABA.
Common Questions
What does Oklahoma Medicaid pay for CPT 97153?
Oklahoma Medicaid pays $17.35 per 15 minutes for 97153 (direct treatment by a technician). That is about $69.40 per hour.
What are the main ABA CPT codes?
97151 is the assessment. 97153 is direct treatment by a technician. 97155 is treatment with protocol modification by the BCBA. 97156 is family guidance.
Are these Oklahoma rates current?
Rates come from the state fee schedule and were last checked July 2026. Each row links to its source. Always confirm against the current fee schedule before billing.
Compare neighboring states: Texas · Kansas · Arkansas · Missouri · New Mexico