State guide

North Dakota

Programs, dollars, and people that serve autism families in North Dakota. Federal protections always apply on top of what you see here.

North Dakota overview

North Dakota's DHS Developmental Disabilities Unit administers Medicaid waiver services — contact your regional DHS office to begin eligibility. North Dakota is a small state with a limited provider network; rural families often face long drives to services. For early intervention, contact Infant Development in your region. Pathfinder Services of ND is the state's PTI center, offering free special education advocacy. The Autism Society of North Dakota provides community connection. The University of North Dakota Center for Rural Health supports telehealth access for families in remote areas.

Verify program names, URLs, and eligibility on official .gov sites — these change.

⏰ Act now — Medicaid waiver waitlist

Autism Spectrum Disorder Waiver (ages 0–20) and the traditional IID/DD Waiver

Typical wait: Minimal on the DD waiver; 52 waiting on the ASD waiver

Call 701-328-4630. North Dakota runs a dedicated Autism Spectrum Disorder Waiver for children up to 20 — ask for it by name rather than the general DD waiver.

One of only a handful of states still running an autism-specific waiver.

Apply or learn more →Compare all 50 states

Statewide resources

These four programs exist in every state and are the fastest entry points for most families.

Insurance Coverage

Whether private insurance must cover ABA therapy in North Dakota.

No state ABA insurance mandate

No state private insurance mandate. North Dakota Medicaid covers ABA for children under 21. Families with private insurance should request a medical necessity determination and cite federal mental health parity protections.

Medicaid Waiver

Home and community-based services (HCBS) for autism families in North Dakota.

Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver

North Dakota Department of Human Services, Developmental Disabilities Division

Varies

Typical wait time

2-4 years

Coverage highlights

  • ✓Respite
  • ✓Supported Living
  • ✗Therapy
  • ✓Employment Supports

North Dakota's DD Waiver is administered through a network of regional providers. The state has a relatively smaller population, which can mean shorter waits in some areas but also limited provider capacity in rural regions. Contact the Developmental Disabilities Division at HHS to begin the eligibility process.

How to apply

Apply online →701-328-8940

Medicaid Managed Care

How Medicaid pays for ABA therapy in North Dakota.

North Dakota Medicaid

Covers ABA through under 21

How to find your plan

Call 1-800-755-2604 or visit hhs.nd.gov/healthcare/medicaid. North Dakota is fee-for-service — there is no separate managed care plan.

Major plans in this state

  • North Dakota Medicaid (Fee-for-Service)

North Dakota Medicaid is fee-for-service statewide. ABA therapy is covered for children under 21 through EPSDT. Provider availability for ABA services can be limited outside major urban areas. Contact the state Medicaid office to find enrolled ABA providers near you.

⚠️ Prior authorization is required before starting ABA services.