Compare 9 board certified behavior analysts in St. Louis, MO. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
9
Board Certified Behavior Analysts
100%
Accepting patients
56%
Most common: BCBA
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
St. Louis punches above its weight in healthcare, anchored by Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital, consistently ranked among the top ten hospitals in the country. The city also benefits from Saint Louis University's medical school and a deep bench of community hospitals operated by SSM Health and Mercy. With more hospital beds per capita than nearly any other US city, capacity is rarely the issue here. Finding the right fit within those systems is.
St. Louis has 9 board certified behavior analysts. The most common credential is BCBA (56%). 100% are currently accepting new patients. Practitioners see patients in neighborhoods including Central West End, Soulard, The Hill, and Tower Grove.
The Washington University Medical Campus and Barnes-Jewish Hospital sit in the Central West End, which is the city's primary medical district. SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital is just south of downtown. Mercy Hospital St. Louis is in west St. Louis County near Creve Coeur. MetroLink light rail has a station at the Central West End, providing direct transit access to Barnes-Jewish. Most patients outside the city core drive, with I-64 and I-44 connecting the major hospital campuses.
Nearby hospitals include Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis Children's Hospital, and SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital. Local training programs run through Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Barnes-Jewish Hospital, affiliated with Washington University, is consistently ranked among the top 10 hospitals in the nation.
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare are the dominant commercial carriers in the St. Louis metro. Ambetter is the largest ACA marketplace presence. BJC HealthCare participates in most employer plans but is excluded from some narrow-network marketplace offerings. MO HealthNet (Medicaid) enrollment is significant, with managed care through Home State Health and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan.
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
St. Louis, MO has 9 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 St. Louis, MO are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Missouri residents use HealthCare.gov for ACA marketplace plans. Ambetter, Anthem, and Aetna offer plans in the St. Louis area. MO HealthNet is the state Medicaid program. Employer-sponsored plans often include BJC, Mercy, and SSM in-network, but always verify. The St. Louis metro also extends into Illinois, so residents in the Metro East may have different plan 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 St. Louis, MO 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.
St. Louis healthcare is organized around BJC HealthCare (Barnes-Jewish and affiliated hospitals), SSM Health (Saint Louis University Hospital and community hospitals), and Mercy. BJC/Washington University is the academic powerhouse for specialty referrals. SSM and Mercy operate broader community networks. Your insurance plan's network will determine which system is most affordable, and narrow-network plans that exclude BJC/WashU are common on the ACA marketplace.
Some board certified behavior analysts in St. Louis, MO accept MO HealthNet, 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 MO HealthNet 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 9 board certified behavior analysts in St. Louis, MO, you can search on FindClarity to find a provider who fits your schedule.
Barnes-Jewish Hospital is a separate institution from Washington University, but they are closely affiliated. Washington University physicians staff Barnes-Jewish, and the medical campus is shared. Together they form the BJC HealthCare system. When people refer to "Wash U Medicine," they usually mean the combined academic and clinical enterprise.
St. Louis City and St. Louis County are separate jurisdictions, which can affect Medicaid eligibility, public health services, and some community programs. Most hospital systems and private practices serve both areas regardless of the boundary. If you are on MO HealthNet, confirm your provider accepts patients from your specific jurisdiction.
Top accepted carriers in St. Louis, MO include qhp-53461, qhp-47840, and qhp-17091.
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.