State guide

Texas

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

Texas overview

Texas uses Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authorities (LIDDAs) as the intake point for the HCS (Home and Community-based Services) waiver — find your LIDDA at hhs.texas.gov. Texas HCS waitlists routinely run 10–13 years, among the longest in the country. Apply the day of diagnosis. Texas also offers the Texas Home Living (TxHmL) waiver with shorter waits for lighter supports. Partners Resource Network is Texas's PTI. The Arc of Texas, FEAT of Texas, and Texas Parent to Parent provide statewide advocacy and family navigation. Texas mandates ABA insurance coverage.

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

⏰ Act now — Medicaid waiver waitlist

Home and Community-based Services (HCS) Waiver

Typical wait: 10–13 years

Texas's HCS waiver waitlist is among the longest in the US — apply through your LIDDA the day of diagnosis.

Contact your Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority (LIDDA) to be placed on the interest list.

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.

Parent Training & Information (PTI)

Partners Resource Network

(409) 898-4684

Federally funded — free help with IEPs, evaluations, and special ed rights.

Medicaid / HCBS Waiver

Texas HCS Waiver (HHSC)

State waiver program for home and community-based services. Apply the day of diagnosis.

State Autism Organization

Autism Society of Texas

State-level autism advocacy, family support, and community connection.

Insurance Coverage

Whether private insurance must cover autism treatment in Texas.

Texas requires insurance to cover autism treatment

Texas Insurance Code 1355.015 · enacted 2007

Ages:
No upper age limit, provided the diagnosis was in place before the child's 10th birthday.
Limits:
A plan need not cover more than $36,000 a year of ABA for someone 10 or older. Below 10 the statute names no dollar figure.

Self-funded employer plans (ERISA) are typically exempt — ask your HR department which type of plan you have.

How to use it, and how to appeal a denial →

Medicaid Waiver

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

Home and Community-based Services (HCS) Waiver

Texas Health and Human Services, with intake through Local IDD Authorities (LIDDAs)

Texas runs several separate programs rather than one. Which fits depends on whether your child has an intellectual disability, a related condition such as autism, or complex medical needs.

How autism qualifies

Autism can qualify through the related-condition route on HCS, TxHmL and CLASS, and through medical necessity on MDCP. CLASS is specifically designed for people with a related condition other than intellectual disability, which often makes it the relevant door for autistic children without an ID diagnosis.

Age rules

MDCP is for under-21s. The others have no upper age limit.

What it can pay for

  • Respite
  • Day habilitation and supported employment
  • Behavioral support
  • Nursing and therapies
  • Adaptive aids and minor home modifications

How the waiting list is ordered

Texas calls these interest lists, and you must join each one separately — being on one does not put you on any other. Position is by date added, so the date you call is the date that counts. Keep your contact details current for the entire wait: families are removed for being unreachable after waiting years.

How to apply

Call 1-877-438-5658 to join the CLASS and MDCP interest lists. For HCS and Texas Home Living, contact your Local IDD Authority (LIDDA). Join every list your child might ever qualify for — there is no penalty for being on several, and no benefit to waiting.

(877) 438-5658Full Texas waiver detail and sources →

Verified August 2026 against 2 official sources.

Medicaid Managed Care

How Medicaid pays for ABA therapy in Texas.

Texas Medicaid (STAR, STAR Kids, STAR Health, STAR+PLUS)

ABA covered: Under 21

Find or choose your plan

Texas Enrollment Broker Helpline

(800) 964-2777Official page →

Plans in this state

  • Superior HealthPlan
  • Wellpoint
  • UnitedHealthcare Community Plan
  • Molina Healthcare of Texas
10 more — see Texas's full plan list →

Your plan choices depend on your service area and program. STAR Kids is the program for children and young adults 20 and younger with disabilities, such as those on SSI or in waivers like CLASS or HCS. Texas Medicaid covers ABA from a licensed behavior analyst for members 20 or younger with an autism diagnosis, treatment needs prior authorization, and Medicaid members can change health plans at any time through the Texas Enrollment Broker Helpline.

⚠️ Prior authorization is required before starting ABA services.

Checked against 6 official sources, September 2026. Plans change when states rebid contracts, so confirm with the state.

Texas guides

Deeper guides where the facts are genuinely specific to Texas.

Financial help for autism in Texas

SSI, Medicaid, the waiver and what insurers must cover — and which to apply for first.

Autism evaluation in Texas

The two free routes, the deadlines they run against, and verified diagnostic providers.

ABA therapy in Texas

Verified providers, what the state mandate covers, and the questions to ask.

Texas insurance mandate

The statute, the caps, and how to complain when a plan ignores it.

By county

254 counties