If your child has Molina Healthcare and has been diagnosed with autism, ABA therapy may be covered under your plan and getting started might be simpler than you think.
Yes insurance can feel overwhelming. But you don’t have to navigate it alone. At Best Buds ABA, we help families across Nevada understand their Molina benefits and begin home-based ABA therapy with confidence and clarity.
Because everyone needs a Best Bud.
The short answer, yes.
Molina Healthcare often provides coverage for ABA therapy, especially for children enrolled in Medicaid plans, when services are considered medically necessary for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Nevada’s autism coverage requirements, along with Medicaid guidelines, allow many children to access ABA therapy services through Molina.
That said, coverage can still vary depending on your specific plan, eligibility, and authorization requirements.
The good news?
You don’t have to figure any of that out on your own. Our team will review your Molina benefits and walk you through everything in clear, simple language — so you know exactly what to expect.
Your child must have a formal diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder from a qualified healthcare provider.
ABA therapy must be recommended as a necessary treatment to support your child’s development.
Your child must be enrolled in a Molina Healthcare plan that includes behavioral health benefits (often through Medicaid).
Most Molina plans require authorization before therapy services can begin.
If this feels like a lot that’s completely okay.
At Best Buds ABA, we guide families step-by-step so nothing falls through the cracks.
Most Molina plans that include ABA therapy provide coverage for a range of essential services designed to support your child’s progress.
The goal is simple: to help your child build meaningful skills that support long-term success.
A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) conducts a comprehensive evaluation to understand your child’s strengths, needs, and developmental goals.
A customized ABA therapy plan is created specifically for your child and submitted for insurance approval.
Direct, in-home therapy sessions focused on communication, behavior, social skills, and independence.
Ongoing oversight from a licensed BCBA to adjust and guide your child’s program as they grow.
Hands-on coaching so you can confidently support your child outside of therapy sessions.
Regular updates and re-authorizations required by Molina to continue services — all handled by our team.
Starting ABA therapy through Molina might seem complicated at first but with the right support, it becomes a smooth and manageable process. And the best part? We take care of most of it for you.
Reach out and share a few details so we can begin.
We review your Molina benefits and confirm what’s covered.
A BCBA evaluates your child and creates a personalized plan.
We submit all required documentation to Molina.
Once authorization is approved, we move forward.
Your child begins ABA therapy in your home — where they feel most comfortable.
Costs depend on your specific plan, but many Molina Medicaid plans cover ABA therapy at little to no cost for eligible families.
Before services begin, we’ll go over your benefits with you so you fully understand what to expect.
No surprises. No confusion.
Insurance paperwork can feel stressful. Starting therapy shouldn’t be. Families choose Best Buds ABA because we make the process easier, clearer, and more supportive.
We help with:
But more than anything we’re here for your family. Every child deserves support. Every milestone matters. And we’re here to celebrate them with you.
Not sure what your Molina plan includes? That’s completely okay.
At Best Buds ABA, we’ll review your benefits, explain your options, and help you get started as quickly as possible.
Because every child deserves support. And every family deserves a Best Bud.
Melissa Zuniga is a bilingual Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) licensed in Nevada and Utah with experience in both education and behavioral health since 2006. Over the years, she had the opportunity to work in many different roles including direct therapist, teacher, RBT, behavior consultant, and BCBA, which has helped her develop a well-rounded and compassionate approach when supporting children and families. Melissa’s specialty is in early childhood intervention, with a focus on building communication, social, behavioral, and adaptive skills through individualized and developmentally appropriate support.
She is passionate about helping clients build communication, independence, emotional regulation, social, and daily living skills across home, school, clinic, and community settings.
Melissa especially values working closely with families and creating individualized, culturally responsive care that feels supportive, practical, and meaningful for each child’s unique needs.
Patrick is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has worked in clinical applied behavior analysis for over eight years. He completed his Masters and Certificate of Advanced Study in school psychology at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh, practicing for two years before getting his BCBA credential in 2017 through the University of Colorado at Denver. Patrick has worked with children with disabilities since 2011, and has specialized in social skills training, school-based collaboration, and serving individuals impacted by severe behavior. He is particularly proud of his membership in COABA and his work in the Public Policy Committee, specifically the Medical Necessity in Schools Action Committee. Outside of work, you can find him attending concerts, doing laps in a pool, or reading.
Candi is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) dedicated to supporting children and families through compassionate, evidence-based care. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology, where she gained experience supporting young women impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault. Candi initially entered the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) while pursuing a different career path. However, through her work with children and families, she discovered a strong passion for creating meaningful, lasting change through behavioral support. This led her to further her education and earn a Master of Science in Psychology with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis.
Since 2017, Candi has worked with individuals ages 2 through 21 with autism and related developmental needs, including ADHD, ODD, OCD, Down syndrome, Anxiety, Epilepsy, and other behavioral and developmental differences in Nevada. She has provided services across telehealth (in Colorado and Maryland), home, clinic, school, and community-based settings, allowing her to support families in a wide range of environments. Candi is passionate about helping individuals develop functional, meaningful skills that increase independence and improve quality of life. Her clinical approach focuses on identifying the underlying function of behavior and implementing individualized, data-driven interventions designed to support long-term success.
She is known for balancing empathy with structure, ensuring that care is both compassionate and effective. Candi prioritizes collaboration with caregivers and interdisciplinary teams to promote consistency across environments and meaningful progress over time. She is deeply committed to parent training and caregiver support, equipping families with practical strategies they can confidently implement in their daily lives. As a BCBA, Candi integrates principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) into her clinical approach, supporting individuals and caregivers in building psychological flexibility, strengthening values-based decision making, and developing adaptive coping strategies. She strives to create a supportive and respectful therapeutic environment for everyone involved, including clients, families, behavior technicians, and colleagues. She approaches her work with cultural sensitivity, professionalism, and a genuine respect for the unique experiences of each individual she serves. Her goal is to provide high-quality care that leads to meaningful, sustainable outcomes for every individual and family.
Brittany Archuleta began her journey in ABA over six years ago as an RBT, working directly with children and seeing firsthand the incredible impact individualized support can have on their lives. As she grew in her career, Brittany discovered a passion not only for helping children succeed but also for supporting the teams and systems that make that care possible. Today, in her leadership and operations role, she is dedicated to building strong, compassionate teams and creating an environment where every child and family feels supported, empowered, and celebrated. Brittany believes that meaningful connections, thoughtful guidance, and a commitment to growth are at the heart of truly transformative ABA care.
Jairin is a passionate advocate for individuals and families in the autism community, bringing a unique blend of medical knowledge, behavioral expertise, and cultural understanding to her work. She earned her Doctorate in Medicine and a bachelor’s degree in psychology in the Philippines and later became certified by the Educational Commission of Foreign Medical Graduates in the U.S..
Her journey shifted when a family member was diagnosed with autism, inspiring her to dedicate her life to supporting individuals and families through Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
Jairin studied ABA at the Florida Institute of Technology and became a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst in 2015, building a strong foundation for her evidence-based practice. For over a decade, she has helped individuals with developmental or behavioral challenges, collaborating with parents, caregivers, and behavior technicians to foster supportive environments where every individual can reach their fullest potential. She also guides a team of BCBAs and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), helping them provide compassionate, high-quality care. Deeply committed to community service, Jairin volunteers at autism awareness events, family resource programs, and outreach initiatives, always approaching her work with empathy, cultural sensitivity, and profound respect for the diverse families she serves.
Today, as a Licensed Behavior Analyst in Nevada and a doctoral candidate in behavioral health, Jairin focuses on delivering ABA interventions that blend her clinical expertise with ongoing research to help individuals thrive. Her mission is to provide care that is compassionate, evidence-based, and partner closely with families, and guide her team to ensure every individual receives the support they need to reach their fullest potential.
