If your family is covered through TriCare, here’s exactly what it takes to get ABA therapy started with NoCal Behavioral Services. It’s a multi-step process, but we’re with you at every step along the way.
1. Confirm Your Sponsor’s Enlistment Status
If your sponsor is Active Duty, you’ll first need to enroll in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), then enroll in the Extended Health Care Option (ECHO) through TriCare. This is what makes your services eligible for coverage under the Comprehensive Autism Care Demonstration (CACD).
If your sponsor is retired, you can skip ahead to Step 2.
2. Get an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Diagnosis from an Approved TriCare Provider
There are two paths to a diagnosis:
- From your Primary Care Physician (PCP): if your diagnosis comes from a PCP, a Specialized Diagnosing Provider must complete testing and evaluation within one year.
- From a Specialized Diagnosing Provider directly: a doctor who is board certified or board eligible in one of the following: Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics, Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics, Pediatric Neurology, Adult or Child Psychiatry, or as a Doctoral-Level Licensed Child Psychologist.
3. Get a Referral from Your Diagnosing Physician
Your physician will submit the referral to TriCare. You can request NoCal Behavioral Services (NCBS) by name at that time, or call your TriCare Case Manager once the referral is submitted and request us then.
4. Call Us to Schedule Your Intake
Intakes take place over the phone and typically last 30–45 minutes.
5. Complete Your Intake
Come prepared to talk about your child’s skills and goals for treatment, along with:
- Child’s date of birth
- Child’s Social Security number
- Sponsor’s date of birth
- Sponsor’s Social Security number
- Diagnosing and Primary Care Physician names and contact information
- Any history of previous ABA therapy
6. Complete Your Consent to Services Forms
After your intake, we’ll send you Consent to Services forms. Please fill these out completely and send them back to us.
7. We Verify Your Coverage
While you’re completing your consent forms, we’re running an eligibility check and insurance verification with TriCare to confirm your coverage.
8. We Match You with a BCBA
Once your forms are back with us, we’ll pair your family with a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who’s the best fit for your needs.
9. Schedule Your Initial Assessment
Your BCBA will reach out to schedule your initial assessment, and your care begins from there.
Get Started
Have a question, or ready to take the first step? Call us at (904) 446-0953 or email info@nocalbehavioralservices.com. You can also read our FAQ or view the states we serve.