MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - The Alabama Medicaid Agency is rolling out new guidelines that change how pediatricians can make autism-related diagnoses that qualify children for Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy referrals. Beginning July 1, 2026, Medicaid says physicians enrolled as Provider Type 31, Specialty 345 (Pediatricians) must submit a written request on official letterhead if they want to add ABA Specialty 175 to their Medicaid enrollment.