Families scramble as Medicaid provider makes cuts to autism coverage

Mercy Care coverage cuts leave families of kids with autism in limbo

Tiana Brandon is calling on the CEO of Medicaid provider Mercy Care to reverse a decision to drop major autism therapy providers. FOX 10's Taylor Wirtz has more on how Brandon says losing her nonverbal son’s 40-hour weekly routine would hurt her family.

PHOENIX - To Tiana Brandon, her son Micah is more than a burst of sunshine.

The young boy is friendly, energetic, and loves to learn, but he also faces the daily challenges of level 2 autism.

What they're saying:

Because Micah is nonverbal, he relies on a village of support, including 40 hours of weekly Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy. That critical care is now at risk as Medicaid provider Mercy Care prepares to drop coverage for two of Arizona’s largest autism service providers, including Centria, where Micah is a patient.

"Children with autism, they work very well with a schedule and with a plan and with a routine," Brandon said. "It would turn our life completely upside down."

The change leaves Brandon facing the daunting task of finding new care. She expressed deep concern over placing her vulnerable, nonverbal son with strangers.

"He cannot speak. He cannot come home and tell me what type of day he’s had," Brandon said. "For me to feel like my juvenile minor child that can't talk is being attacked in such a position is very disheartening."

Tiana Brandon says her son Micah has level 2 autism. Brandon is appealing to the CEO of Medicaid provider Mercy Care to reverse a decision to drop two of Arizona’s largest autism service providers from its network.

‘He himself has the power to reverse this’

Brandon is now appealing directly to the CEO of Mercy Care to intervene.

"I would like to let him know that he himself has the power to reverse this," she said. "He himself has the power to save our families in these situations."

Full statement from Mercy Care on this matter

"Mercy Care has a 40-year history in Arizona and is a trusted partner in the community. As an Arizona-based nonprofit organization, we’re committed to providing access to high-quality care while being good stewards of Arizona taxpayer funds. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an AHCCCS-covered benefit. Mercy Care covers medically necessary ABA services delivered by contracted providers in our network. There have been no changes to coverage of ABA services.  ABA therapy is important for children and families, and we work to ensure our provider relationships align with the needs of our members and the state. We are confident in our network of providers and our ability to ensure continuity of care for our members. We have a dedicated team working with individuals and their families to ensure a smooth and efficient transition to a new in-network provider."