Changing ABA providers in Union County without losing authorization

Step-by-step guide for families in Union County, NJ to switch ABA providers while keeping insurance authorization intact.

Published September 5, 2026 · Union County, New Jersey

Why switching providers is possible without losing your place

If your child is receiving applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy in Union County and you are thinking about changing providers, you can do it without having to start over from scratch with insurance authorization. The key is to understand how New Jersey's managed care system works and to follow the specific steps for your child's age and coverage. This guide is written for families in Union County, where 52 ABA providers are registered on the federal NPPES registry and 17 of the county's 21 municipalities have at least one provider in town. Every town in Union County has a provider within 7 miles, so you have options.

First, know who handles your child's authorization

In New Jersey, the process depends on your child's age and insurance type. Here is a quick breakdown:

• Under age 3: The New Jersey Early Intervention System (NJEIS) manages services. You will need to work with your child's service coordinator to request a change of provider. Authorization is tied to the overall Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), not to a specific provider.
• Age 3 to 21: If your child has NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid/CHIP) or a managed care plan (Horizon NJ Health, Wellpoint, Aetna Better Health of NJ, or UnitedHealthcare Community Plan), authorization is handled through PerformCare, the single access point for the Children's System of Care. For privately insured children, the process is similar but goes through your insurance company directly.
• After age 21: The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) takes over. Authorization is through the DDD fee-for-service system or a managed long-term services and supports plan.

Step 1: Get a discharge summary from your current provider

Before you can switch, your current ABA provider must issue a discharge summary. This is a clinical document that explains why you are leaving and what progress has been made. You need to request this in writing. Ask for it to be sent to you and, if possible, to the new provider. If your child is in a school district (Berkeley Heights, Clark, Cranford, Elizabeth, Garwood, Hillside, Kenilworth, Linden, Mountainside, Plainfield, or any other Union County district), the school may also need a copy. Do not assume the provider will send it automatically. Follow up within a week.

Step 2: Contact the new provider to confirm they accept your insurance and have availability

Union County has many providers, but not all take every plan. Call the new provider's office and ask specifically: "Do you accept [name of your insurance plan] for ABA therapy?" If you have NJ FamilyCare, also ask if they are enrolled with the specific managed care plan you are in (Horizon NJ Health, Wellpoint, Aetna Better Health of NJ, or UnitedHealthcare Community Plan). The new provider will need to be in-network for your plan, or you will need a single-case agreement if they are out of network. Ask about availability for assessment and start dates. Do not assume they have openings; waiting times vary but are not published here.

Step 3: Initiate a new authorization request through the correct channel

For children age 3 to 21 on NJ FamilyCare or a managed care plan, you or the new provider must contact PerformCare. The new provider will typically initiate the request, but you can call PerformCare to confirm it is in process. For children under 3, contact your Early Intervention service coordinator. For those over 21, contact the DDD regional office. For private insurance, call the customer service number on your insurance card and ask how to submit a new authorization for a new provider. You may need to provide the discharge summary and a new treatment plan from the new provider.

Step 4: Do not cancel the old authorization until the new one is approved

This is the most important rule. Keep your current authorization active until the new one is fully approved. If you cancel early, you may have a gap in coverage and your child could lose therapy hours. Ask the new provider to give you a timeline: how long does the authorization typically take? They may not know exactly, but they can give you a range based on past experience. During the transition, the old provider should continue sessions until the new provider is ready to start.

Step 5: Coordinate with your child's school district if applicable

If your child is in a Union County public school district and receives ABA through an Individualized Education Program (IEP), you need to involve the district's child study team. A change in ABA provider may require an IEP amendment. Contact the district's special education office and ask: "What is the process for changing the ABA provider listed in my child's IEP?" They may require a meeting or a written request. The school districts in Union County have different names, but the process is similar across them.

What if the new provider is in a different town?

That is fine. All 21 municipalities in Union County have a provider within 7 miles, so you can choose any provider in the county or even in an adjacent county. The authorization is based on the provider's enrollment with your insurance, not on your home address. However, if you switch to a provider in a different town, make sure they are still within a reasonable distance for your family.

A note on uncertainty

Authorization timelines vary. No two insurance plans are identical, and even within the same plan, case managers may handle requests differently. If you run into a delay, ask for a supervisor. Keep a log of every phone call with the date, time, and name of the person you spoke to. This is especially important if you need to file an appeal. You do not have to do this alone. PerformCare and your insurance company have customer service representatives who can explain the process step by step.

Remember: you are the advocate

No one else will manage the transition for you. By following these steps and asking the right questions, you can change ABA providers in Union County without losing your child's authorization and without a gap in therapy. Use the resources listed here: PerformCare for ages 3 to 21, NJ Early Intervention for under 3, and DDD for over 21. Your child's new provider should be able to guide you, but always double-check with the source.