Compare 56 board certified behavior analysts in Sarasota, FL. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
56
Board Certified Behavior Analysts
100%
Accepting patients
71%
Most common: BCBA
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Sarasota is a retirement and cultural hub that has built a remarkably deep healthcare infrastructure for a mid-size city. Sarasota Memorial Hospital is publicly owned, which means it reinvests in the community rather than sending profits elsewhere. That model, combined with the area's wealthy retiree base, has attracted specialists who might otherwise only practice in Tampa or Miami.
Sarasota has 56 board certified behavior analysts. The most common credential is BCBA (71%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
Sarasota Memorial's main campus anchors healthcare downtown, with Doctors Hospital of Sarasota providing a second option south of the city center. Lakewood Ranch Medical Center serves the fast-growing communities east of I-75. US-41 (the Tamiami Trail) is the primary north-south corridor connecting providers, and Bee Ridge Road serves as the main east-west medical corridor. Barrier island residents on Siesta Key and Longboat Key face bridge crossings that add 15 to 30 minutes.
Providers practice throughout Sarasota. Downtown Sarasota is the urban core near Sarasota Memorial Hospital, with specialist offices clustered along Main Street and Ringling Boulevard. St. Armands Circle is an upscale shopping and dining circle on the barrier island with boutique medical practices and proximity to Sarasota Memorial. Burns Court is a small arts-oriented neighborhood near downtown with walkable access to Sarasota Memorial and Doctors Hospital. Gillespie Park is a residential neighborhood just north of downtown with easy access to Sarasota Memorial's main campus.
Nearby hospitals include Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Doctors Hospital of Sarasota, and Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. Local training programs run through University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee and Ringling College of Art and Design. Sarasota Memorial Hospital is a public, community-owned hospital system and one of the largest in Florida, consistently ranked among the best in the state.
The process starts with a comprehensive assessment lasting three to five hours, often spread across two to three visits. The BCBA observes the child, conducts standardized skill assessments (VB-MAPP, ABLLS-R, or AFLS), and interviews parents about priorities and concerns. They then create a treatment plan with specific, measurable goals. Therapy sessions range from 10 to 40 hours per week depending on the child's needs and age, delivered by an RBT under the BCBA's supervision. The BCBA meets with parents regularly to review data, teach strategies for home, and update goals. Progress is measured through ongoing data collection at every session.
A BCBA is typically recommended for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, particularly between ages two and six when early intervention has the greatest impact. ABA therapy also benefits older children, teens, and adults with autism or other developmental disabilities who need support with communication, social skills, self-regulation, or daily living skills. Parents may seek ABA after noticing delays in speech, difficulty with transitions, repetitive behaviors, or challenges with peer interaction. BCBAs also help with specific behavioral concerns like aggression, self-injury, elopement (running away), and feeding difficulties.
BCBA assessment: $1,200-3,000 · ABA session (RBT-delivered): $35-75/hour · BCBA supervision: $100-200/hour · Typical monthly cost at 20 hrs/week: $3,000-6,000
Sarasota, FL has 56 licensed board certified behavior analysts. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of board certified behavior analysts in Sarasota, FL are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Medicare is the primary insurance type in Sarasota County. Traditional Medicare with a Medigap supplement is widely accepted. Medicare Advantage plans from Humana, UnitedHealthcare, and Aetna compete heavily in this market. For residents under 65, Florida Blue and Ambetter are the main ACA marketplace options.
A BCBA assessment costs $1,200 to $3,000. RBT-delivered sessions cost $35 to $75 per hour. BCBA supervision costs $100 to $200 per hour. Monthly cost at 20 hours per week runs $3,000 to $6,000. Actual costs in Sarasota, FL depend on the provider and your insurance plan. All 50 states have autism insurance mandates covering ABA therapy. If your insurer caps hours or denies coverage, request a letter of medical necessity from the BCBA and appeal. Many ABA providers handle insurance authorization and billing on your behalf.
Sarasota Memorial Hospital is the dominant system, operating the main hospital, a cancer center, and a network of outpatient clinics. Doctors Hospital of Sarasota (HCA) and Lakewood Ranch Medical Center provide alternatives. Most local physicians are affiliated with Sarasota Memorial, though some specialists maintain privileges at multiple facilities.
Some board certified behavior analysts in Sarasota, FL accept Florida Medicaid, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers ABA therapy for children with autism in all states under the EPSDT benefit. Coverage includes assessment, treatment planning, direct therapy (RBT sessions), and BCBA supervision. Prior authorization and periodic reauthorization are required. Contact the provider's office directly to confirm Florida Medicaid participation before scheduling.
ABA therapy typically involves 10 to 40 hours per week of direct sessions (delivered by an RBT) plus BCBA supervision every one to two weeks. As the client gains skills, hours are reduced. Reassessment occurs every six months to update goals and adjust hours. With 56 board certified behavior analysts in Sarasota, FL, you can search on FindClarity to find a provider who fits your schedule.
Yes. Sarasota Memorial Hospital is owned and operated by the Sarasota County Public Hospital Board, a special taxing district. This means it serves all patients regardless of ability to pay and reinvests revenue back into facilities and services rather than distributing profits to shareholders.
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard is the primary hospital serving the community. There are also numerous outpatient clinics, urgent care centers, and specialist offices along University Parkway and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.
Top accepted carriers in Sarasota, FL include qhp-16842, cigna, centene, qhp-17091, and anthem.
ABA therapy is covered by most insurance plans under state autism mandates. Coverage requires an autism diagnosis and a treatment plan from the BCBA. Prior authorization and periodic reauthorization (every 3 to 6 months) are standard. Some plans have hour caps (e.g., 25 hours per week), age limits, or dollar caps, though many states have eliminated these. Medicaid covers ABA in all states under the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit for children. If your plan denies or limits hours, ask the BCBA to write a letter of medical necessity with supporting data.