New ABA billing codes and revisions to existing codes take effect in January 2027, and providers are already asking what the changes mean for their day-to-day practice. Beyond learning new code numbers, organizations will need to consider how the changes affect clinical workflows, documentation, billing systems, staff training, payer implementation, and decisions about which services are appropriately reported under each code. These changes also raise important ethical considerations related to accurate billing and reporting, compliance with legal and professional requirements, documentation, communication with families, and advocating for appropriate services.

In this episode of The EarliPoint Exchange, Dr. Cheryl Tierney and Kirsten Yurich, BCBA, are joined by coding and reimbursement expert Jenna Minton, Esq., and behavior analyst and ABA practice owner Jen Castellanos-Bonow, PhD, BCBA-D. The conversation will begin with why the ABA code set was revised and the problems the changes were intended to address, then turn to common misconceptions, emerging implementation questions, and practical considerations as providers prepare for 2027. Drawing on both coding expertise and the perspective of an ABA organization preparing for implementation, the discussion will explore how providers can navigate these changes while upholding their ethical and professional responsibilities. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of what is changing, anticipate potential operational and ethical pitfalls, and identify questions their organizations should be asking of themselves and their payers now.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this session are those of the individual presenters and do not represent the official positions of the ABA Coding Coalition, the Autism Commission on Quality (ACQ), or any other affiliated organization. This session is intended for educational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, coding, billing, or reimbursement advice. Content is presented to be consistent with current laws, regulations, and policies. Because payer implementation will keep moving, the episode is considered current as of its launch date of December 4th, 2026.