What happens after you call PerformCare, step by step

Step by step guide for Union County NJ families on what happens after calling PerformCare for ABA therapy. Includes provider info and local resources.

Published August 30, 2026 · Union County, New Jersey

Step 1: The Intake Call

When you call PerformCare, the first person you speak to is a care coordinator. They will ask for basic information: your child's name, date of birth, address in Union County, and the reason for the call. If your child has a diagnosis of autism, mention it. You will also be asked about your insurance. In New Jersey, if your child is covered by NJ FamilyCare (the state Medicaid and CHIP program), PerformCare coordinates with that. If you have private insurance, tell them. The coordinator will explain the next steps but will not promise a timeline. Wait times depend on the volume of referrals and your child's specific situation.

Step 2: Assigning a Care Manager

After the intake, an initial review happens. PerformCare will assign a care manager to your family. This person is your main point of contact. They will call you to introduce themselves and to schedule a face to face meeting or a phone assessment. The care manager's job is to understand your child's needs and help you navigate the system. They are not a therapist or a doctor, but they coordinate the evaluation and authorization process.

Step 3: The Clinical Assessment

The care manager will arrange a clinical assessment with a qualified professional, often a psychologist or a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA). This is not a diagnostic evaluation. It is a functional assessment to identify the behaviors that need support and to determine whether applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy is appropriate. The assessment may take place in your home, at a clinic, or virtually. It typically lasts one to three hours. Be prepared to describe your child's strengths, challenges, and daily routines.

Step 4: Developing a Plan of Care

If the assessor recommends ABA, a plan of care is written. The plan includes the goals, the number of hours per week, the settings (home, school, clinic), and the type of ABA (e.g., discrete trial training, natural environment teaching). The care manager reviews the plan and submits it to your insurance for authorization. In New Jersey, for children ages 3 through 21, the insurance is likely one of the managed care plans that serve NJ FamilyCare: Horizon NJ Health, Wellpoint, Aetna Better Health of NJ, or UnitedHealthcare Community Plan. Each plan has its own authorization process. The care manager will work with the plan on your behalf.

Step 5: The Authorization Review

The managed care plan reviews the plan of care. They may approve it as is, ask for changes, or deny it. If it is denied, the care manager will help you file an appeal. The timeline for approval varies. You might hear back in a few weeks or longer. No one can guarantee a specific number of days. Your care manager should update you on the status. You can also call PerformCare directly to ask.

Step 6: Finding an ABA Provider

Once authorized, you need to find a provider who delivers ABA therapy. Union County has 52 ABA providers registered on the federal NPPES registry. That registry is public and searchable online. Additionally, 17 of the county’s 21 municipalities have at least one provider physically located in the town. Every town in Union County has a provider within 7 miles. The towns with the most providers are Union (9), Cranford (7), Clark (6), Westfield (6), Elizabeth (4), and Linden (4). Your care manager can give you a list of providers that accept your insurance and have openings. You can also ask other parents or local autism support groups for recommendations. Keep in mind that having an authorization does not guarantee immediate availability. Providers may have waiting lists. Ask about start dates during your first phone call.

Step 7: Starting Therapy and Ongoing Reviews

When you choose a provider, they will schedule an intake session with their own BCBA to finalize the treatment plan. Therapy sessions may begin soon after. The provider will submit progress reports to your care manager and the insurance plan every few months. The care manager will check in with you to see how things are going. Authorizations are typically renewed every six or twelve months. The whole loop repeats: progress report, new plan of care, re authorization.

What About Children Under 3 or Over 21?

PerformCare serves children starting at age 3. If your child is younger than 3, the entry point is the New Jersey Early Intervention System. For adults after age 21, the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) takes over. Your care manager can help with the transition when the time comes.

School Based Services

If your child is in a public school, ABA may also be available through an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The school districts in Union County include Berkeley Heights School District, Clark Township Public School District, Cranford Public School District, Elizabeth Public Schools, Garwood Boro, Hillside Public School District, Kenilworth School District, Linden Public School District, Mountainside School District, and Plainfield Public School District. The school based process is separate from PerformCare. You can request an IEP evaluation from your school district at any time.

What You Should Know

The exact timeline from your call to the first therapy session is not fixed. It depends on the speed of the assessment, the insurance plan, and provider availability. Your care manager is there to guide you, but you can also call PerformCare yourself. There is no single route. Every family’s experience is slightly different. What matters is that you have started the process. For Union County families, the good news is that there are many providers close to home. You are not alone.