(a) The length of services for a child is based on the child's specific needs but must not exceed a maximum of 24 months in the HHSC Children's Autism Program in any combination of Comprehensive or Focused ABA services.
(b) The contractor may provide up to 720 total hours of HHSC Focused ABA services to a child as long as the child meets the eligibility requirements in §105.307 of this chapter (relating to Eligibility). The contractor may not exceed 180 hours within a year of the first date of service.
(c) The time-limited services are not affected by any modifications in the contract between HHSC and the contractors, or a change in the contractor.
(d) HHSC Focused ABA services end when treatment goals are met or when service limits have been reached.
(e) Service limits have been reached when the child:
  (1) has received 180 hours of services in a year;
  (2) has received 720 hours before his or her 16th birthday; or
  (3) reaches his or her 16th birthday.
(f) Children who exit HHSC Focused ABA services with remaining hours of service may reapply for additional HHSC Focused ABA services based on the eligibility criteria in §105.307 of this chapter, the child's needs, available funding, and the contractor's ability to serve more children in accordance with §105.307 of this chapter. These children are given priority over children on the interest list who have not previously received services.
(g) A family may choose to continue receiving services, at the family's expense, from the contractor after service limits noted in subsection (b) of this section have been reached. HHSC is not liable for any costs incurred after service limits have been reached, including any costs incurred by a contractor providing those services.

Source Note: The provisions of this §358.313 adopted to be effective September 1, 2014, 39 TexReg 6680; amended to be effective December 22, 2015, 40 TexReg 9307; amended to be effective September 4, 2018, 43 TexReg 5683; transferred effective August 1, 2021, as published in the July 9, 2021 issue of the Texas Register, 46 TexReg 4173