Michigan ABA Services During COVID-19 Pandemic

Adopted Unanimously by the MiBAP Board of Directors, April 10 2020

The State of Michigan has declared ABA to be an essential service (read CDC and state communications here). At the same time, the current risks associated with face-to-face medical services, particularly among children and vulnerable mental health patients, cannot be overstated. It is MiBAP’s position that decisions regarding ongoing ABA services must be made on an individual basis by the supervising medical professional in collaboration with the client and caregivers, and based on a careful evaluation of risk factors and medical necessity. In order to make this decision, the treatment team should follow the BACB’s Professional and Ethical Compliance Code to complete a Risk-Benefits Analysis (BACB, 2014, to include codes 2.09c and 4.05) as well as applicable state laws and payor requirements. We also urge ABA providers to make maximum use of telehealth and other remote alternatives for care, when medically appropriate, and to access all available resources in the evaluation of potential risks.

Additional resources are provided below.

General
CDC COVID–19 Web Site
Michigan Coronavirus Web Site
Michigan Community Mental Health Association (CMHA) COVID–19 Resource Page
Michigan BCBS COVID–19 Resources

Risk Assessment/Ethics and Business Management
Re-Opening the Doors to Center-Based ABA: Clinical and Safety Protocols during COVIS-19
Proposed Process for Risk Mitigation During the COVID–19 Pandemic
Behavior Change Institute: Telehealth Billing Basics
MDHHS Memo on Rounding Rules in Telehealth Billing (April 7 2020)
Ethical Challenges Encountered in Delivering Behavior Analytic Services Through Teleconsultation
Federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Application

Health Protection
MDHHS Guidance on Treatment Protocols During COVID–19

Clinical Services
CASP: Practice Parameters for Telehealth-Implementation of Applied Behavior Analysis: Continuity of Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic
CalABA: Telehealth and the Practice of ABA

MDHHS Statements on Behavioral Health/ABA as an Essential Service

MDHHS Memo: Plan of Service and Due Process Concerns (April 8)

MDHHS BH Communication Essential Services

MDHHS BH Communication Infection Control Issues

MDHHS BH Guidance for Essential Face-to-Face Services