If you are a parent of a child with autism in Arizona, you may have recently received confusing news: Action Behavior Centers (ABC)—one of the largest providers of ABA therapy—is no longer accepting UnitedHealthcare Community Plan as of March 2026.
This is incredibly stressful news for families relying on these services. You might be asking: “I thought they took UnitedHealthcare?” or “Why is this happening now?”
This post breaks down exactly why this decision was made, why it’s happening across Arizona, and—most importantly—what you can do next.
The Confusion: “Commercial” vs. “Community”
The most common question families have is, “ABC says they take UnitedHealthcare, so why did I get dropped?”
The answer lies in the difference between the two types of UnitedHealthcare plans. ABC has effectively drawn a line in the sand between “Commercial” plans (from employers) and “Community” plans (Medicaid/AHCCCS).
| Plan Type | UnitedHealthcare Commercial | UnitedHealthcare Community Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Provided by an Employer (Private) | Provided by the State (Medicaid/AHCCCS) |
| Rates | Pays market rates (~$100–$130/hr) | Pays government rates (~$71–$75/hr) |
| ABC Status | ACCEPTED ✅ | DROPPED ❌ |
The Bottom Line: ABC is still a provider for UnitedHealthcare if you have private insurance. They have decided to discontinue serving the Medicaid version of the plan in Arizona because reimbursement rates are too low to cover their costs.
It’s Not Just You (And It’s Not Just ABC)
This isn’t an isolated incident. The entire Arizona system is under strain.
Centria Autism: Another major provider recently terminated contracts with Mercy Care (another Medicaid plan) for the exact same reason.
The Lawsuits: Providers and parents are currently suing AHCCCS, arguing that these rate cuts are illegal because they make it impossible for families to find care.
While this doesn’t fix your immediate problem, know that this is a systemic failure of Arizona policy, not a failure on your part as a parent.
Action Plan: We Are Here to Help
If you have been displaced by these recent changes, you do not have to navigate this alone. At Odyssey Autism, we remain committed to serving the Arizona community, and we want to be part of your solution.
Yes, We Are Accepting New Families!
Unlike other providers who have exited the network, Odyssey Autism continues to accept UnitedHealthcare Community Plan (Medicaid/AHCCCS). We believe that every child deserves access to high-quality ABA therapy, regardless of their insurance provider.
We currently have availability for new clients at our locations in both Phoenix and Tucson:
- Phoenix (Deer Valley): 1831 W Rose Garden Ln, Suite #4, Phoenix, AZ 85027
- Tucson: 5700 E Pima Street, Tucson, AZ 85712
Your Next Step: Please reach out to our intake team immediately by clicking the, contact us button below. We can verify your specific UHC Community Plan details and work to get your child’s therapy schedule back on track as quickly as possible.
Other Advocacy Tools for Families:
While we hope to serve as many families as possible, we also want you to be empowered with the knowledge to advocate for your child in this strained system.
Request a “Single Case Agreement” (SCA)
If you cannot find a provider within a reasonable time (usually 21 days), you have the right to ask UnitedHealthcare for a Single Case Agreement.
- What it is: A one-time contract where UHC pays an “out-of-network” provider (potentially even ABC) to see your specific child.
- How to do it: You must document that you have called other providers (like Hopebridge) and were told there is no availability. Present this list to your UHC case manager and demand an SCA.
Leverage “Jacob’s Law”
Arizona has strict laws regarding timelines for behavioral health services for children. If UHC Community Plan cannot find you a provider, they may be in violation of Jacob’s Law or Network Adequacy standards.
- Tip: If your child is in the DDD system, contact your Support Coordinator and ask them to issue a “Vendor Call”—this sends a blast to all state providers asking for help for your child.
Summary
ABC dropped UnitedHealthcare Community Plan because the state lowered reimbursement rates below the cost of running their centers. It is a financial decision that has unfortunately left many families without care.
Your immediate next step:
Click contact us at Odyssey Autism today to get on started on intake.
(Availability at our Phoenix and Tucson locations)