ABA provider call script
Use this call script when you phone an ABA provider about openings. It gives you a short opening line, the questions to ask about their waitlist and your insurance, and what to write down before you hang up. Print it and keep it next to your ABA waitlist tracker.
What should I have ready before I call?
- Your child's age and your zip code.
- Your insurance card or Medicaid plan name and member ID.
- Whether your child has a diagnosis report, and the date on it.
- The days and times that could work for sessions.
- Your waitlist tracker and a pen.
What do I say when I call an ABA provider?
Start with a short opening line, then let them guide the call:
"Hi, my name is ______. I am calling to ask whether you are accepting new clients for ABA. My child is ______ years old, we have ______ insurance, and we live in the ______ zip code. Do you have any openings, or a waitlist we can join?"
If you reach voicemail, leave the same details plus your phone number and the best times to reach you.
What should I ask about the waitlist?
- Are you accepting new clients right now?
- Do you take our insurance or Medicaid plan?
- What is your current wait estimate for a child like mine?
- Do you keep a waitlist or a cancellation list we can join?
- Do you offer in-home sessions, center-based sessions, or both?
- How will you contact us when a spot opens, and how long do we have to respond?
- What paperwork can we send now so intake goes faster?
What should I write down after the call?
Write down the name of the person you spoke with, the date, whether they take your insurance, the wait estimate they gave and the date they gave it, any paperwork they still need, and when to call back. The printable ABA waitlist tracker has a column for each.
What if they say they are not accepting new clients?
Ask whether you can join their waitlist or cancellation list anyway, and when they expect to take new families again. Write their answer and a next call date in your tracker. Your insurance or Medicaid plan's case manager may also know which providers have openings.
How often should I call back?
Ask each provider how often they would like you to check in. If they do not say, calling every few weeks helps you hear about openings first. Our guide on what to do while you wait for ABA has more ways to use the wait well.
How do I use this call script?
- Print the script, or keep it open on your phone.
- Gather your child's age, zip code, insurance details and diagnosis report date.
- Read the opening line and ask the waitlist questions in order.
- Write each answer in your waitlist tracker before you hang up.
- Set a next call date for every provider you reach.
Is the call script free?
Yes. Print it, copy it or read it from your phone. Nothing you write on it is sent to Waitless.
See which providers have openings now and how long waits are for your insurance.
Find ABA openings near you