Georgia Medicaid Managed Care Changes: What ABA Providers Need to Know

Georgia Medicaid is preparing for a major change to its managed care system that will affect providers, families, and health plans across the state.

Following a competitive procurement process, the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) has selected four organizations to manage the Georgia Families Medicaid program moving forward:

• CareSource (incumbent plan)

• Humana

• Molina Healthcare

• UnitedHealthcare

Two long-standing plans, Peach State Health Plan and Amerigroup, were not selected during the procurement process and will no longer participate in the program once current contracts expire.

Transition Timeline

According to an email from the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) to GABA Board members dated April 23rd, 2026, “Pending issuance of the NOA [Notice of Award], DCH will extend the current CMO contracts (Amerigroup, CareSource, and Peach State) through June 30, 2026 (SFY2027).” 

Thereafter, the newly selected CMOs will assume responsibility for managing Medicaid services in Georgia.

This transition will shift provider networks, credentialing processes, and administrative systems across the state’s Medicaid program.

What This Means for ABA Providers

Managed care organizations (CMOs) are responsible for administering Medicaid benefits, including provider credentialing, authorizations, claims processing, and care coordination.

When new CMOs enter the market, providers should expect several operational changes, including:

• New provider contracts and credentialing processes

• New authorization systems and clinical review procedures

• New claims submission platforms and provider portals

Even providers who currently participate in Medicaid networks may need to re-credential or contract with the incoming plans in order to remain in-network.

Because Medicaid managed care plans oversee treatment authorizations and reimbursement, these transitions can affect administrative workflows within clinics and organizations.

Why This Matters for Clinicians and Families

For clinicians, understanding how managed care networks operate is important because these organizations directly influence:

• authorization timelines

• documentation expectations

• reimbursement processes

• continuity of care for clients

Large-scale Medicaid transitions can create uncertainty for providers and families if network participation or authorization systems change abruptly.

Maintaining continuity of care for children receiving ABA services will be a critical priority during the transition period.

Support from GABA

GABA is working to stay informed throughout the transition and to support providers and families as implementation details become clearer.

As new CMOs prepare to enter the Georgia Medicaid market, GABA is working to:

• ensure ABA providers have clear guidance on contracting and credentialing

• advocate for continuity of care protections during the transition

Our goal is to help ensure that the transition occurs with minimal disruption to clinicians and the families we serve.

Staying Informed

As additional details become available regarding contracting timelines, credentialing requirements, and provider onboarding processes, GABA will continue to share updates with members.

Providers should monitor communications from both DCH and Medicaid plans and remain engaged with GABA as the transition progresses toward the January 2027 implementation date.