Indiana bars autism therapy provider from Medicaid billing: Wall Street Journal. By: Ella Ruder Thursday, March 26th, 2026 Indiana officials have revoked Medicaid billing privileges for Lebanon, Ind.-based Piece by Piece Autism Centers, citing concerns over the provider's payment practices, state officials said in a March 25 report from The Wall Street Journal. The state revoked the provider agreements for all seven of the company's centers, a move effective in 60 days and subject to appeal, according to letters viewed by the Journal. Marcus Barlow, deputy chief of staff at the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, said the state terminated the provider over its billing practices. Piece by Piece received the highest per-patient Medicaid payments in the U.S. in 2023 - about $340,000 on average - according to the report. The company set list prices that allowed it to collect up to $640 an hour for some services in 2024. From 2019 to 2023, Indiana paid the provider $58 million for autism therapy. The company treated 84 children with autism in 2023, according to the latest year of available data. Piece by Piece founder Meghann Mitchell said in a previous interview with the Journal that the company followed state rules and that audits found no evidence of fraud or intentional wrongdoing. Indiana for years has reimbursed providers at 40% of their self-set list prices, a structure that allowed companies to increase rates and drive higher payments. The state replaced that model in 2024 with a flat rate of $68 an hour for certain services and is planning additional limits as part of broader Medicaid changes. Mitch Roob, secretary of Indiana's Family and Social Services Administration and the state's acting Medicaid director, posed an ultimatum to autism-therapy providers in the state to self-report past abuses or fraud. If providers do not self-report, they should expect scrutiny from federal health agencies, he said. The number of Medicaid patients affected by the termination has not been determined, according to the report. Becker's reached out to Piece by Piece for comment and will update this story if more information is received. At the Becker's Fall Behavioral Health Summit, taking place November 4-5 in Chicago, behavioral health leaders and executives will explore strategies for expanding access to care, integrating services, addressing workforce challenges and leveraging innovation to improve outcomes across the behavioral health continuum. Apply for complimentary registration now. The revenue cycle at a turning point: how managed services are helping healthcare leaders stabilize margins and prepare for what's next. Recommended Whitepaper Next up in autism care. * North Carolina autism provider to expand therapy access Mishawaka, Ind.-based Lighthouse Autism Center will open an autism therapy center in Asheboro, N.C., expanding services for children and families... By: Ella Ruder * Health systems turn to virtual care to tackle behavioral health bottlenecks From emergency departments to pediatric units, health systems are increasingly turning to virtual care to address behavioral health access. Leaders... By: Ella Ruder Wednesday, March 18th, 2026 * OSF HealthCare uses text outreach after ED visits - and sees 33% engagement Leaders at Peoria, Ill.-based OSF HealthCare are building a virtual behavioral healthcare continuum designed to support patients after emergency department... By: Ella Ruder Friday, March 13th, 2026

Lighthouse Autism Center is opening in Cedar Falls, Iowa this June. February 16, 2026 / Ethan Sheckler Lighthouse Autism Center, LLC is excited to share that Lighthouse Autism Center is opening a brand-new location in Cedar Falls, Iowa in June 2026. Its new center, located at 2300 Main Street, Suite #301, Cedar Falls, IA 50613, will serve up to 21 families in Cedar Falls and the surrounding communities. This marks its seventh location in Iowa and its second center in Black Hawk County, following its Waterloo opening in 2024. For Lighthouse Autism Center, LLC, this isn't just growth. It's a deeper commitment to families in this community. Expanding access to high-quality, compassionate ABA therapy. At Lighthouse Autism Center, its mission has always been simple: deliver exceptional, compassionate, play-based ABA therapy that helps children thrive. Like all Lighthouse Autism Center locations, the Cedar Falls center will offer center-based Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, speech support, and autism testing. Its innovative Lighthouse Fusion(R) model integrates speech therapy directly into daily ABA programming. Instead of separating services, children receive coordinated, collaborative care throughout their day - helping them make greater progress while learning in immersive, imaginative, and engaging environments. A growing need for autism services. Autism spectrum disorder continues to impact more families every year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 in 31 children in the United States is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. As the need for evidence-based services grows, so does its responsibility to ensure families have access to high-quality care close to home. Opening a second center in Black Hawk County allows Lighthouse Autism Center, LLC to reduce barriers, shorten wait times, and support more families in the Cedar Falls area. Rooted in family, focused on the future. Lighthouse Autism Center was founded in 2012 by parents of a child with autism. That perspective continues to shape everything Lighthouse Autism Center, LLC do. Lighthouse Autism Center, LLC understand firsthand the urgency families feel after a diagnosis - and the importance of finding care that is both clinically excellent and deeply compassionate. Today, Lighthouse Autism Center, LLC serve families across Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, and North Carolina. Every center is built around the same promise: individualized, play-based programs designed to help children build meaningful communication, independence, and life skills. And now, Lighthouse Autism Center, LLC is honored to bring that promise to Cedar Falls. Now enrolling in Cedar Falls. If you're a parent or caregiver in the Cedar Falls area and would like to learn more about services at its new center, Lighthouse Autism Center, LLC'd love to connect with you. Call Lighthouse Autism Center, LLC at 563-526-0533 or contact Lighthouse Autism Center, LLC here to get started. Lighthouse Autism Center, LLC can't wait to welcome new families and bring the love of Lighthouse to Cedar Falls.

Lighthouse Autism Center appoints Joseph Giles as Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board. October 21, 2025 09:20 ET | Source: Lighthouse Autism Center MISHAWAKA, Ind., Oct. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Lighthouse Autism Center ("Lighthouse" or the "Company"), a premier provider of center-based Applied Behavior Analysis ("ABA") therapy, is pleased to announce the appointment of Joseph Giles as Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board of Directors. Mr. Giles is a seasoned executive in the healthcare industry with over two decades of experience in building and scaling platforms across sectors and stages of growth. Most recently, Mr. Giles was a Venture Chair for Redesign Health, a leading investor in and partner to healthcare founders, where he helped launch new care models and digital platforms focused on improving access to care and patient outcomes. Previously, Mr. Giles co-founded and served as CEO of Midwest Vision Partners, one of the fastest-growing eyecare companies in the Midwest, and was Chief Operating Officer of Athletico Physical Therapy, the third-largest physical therapy company in the United States. Throughout his career, he has served on numerous boards, including Transformations Care Network, Zerigo Health, Florida Autism Center, and Summit Dermatology Partners. Since its founding in 2012, Lighthouse has grown to become the Midwest's leading provider of ABA therapy, providing personalized, evidence-based care tailored to the needs of each learner and family. The Company recently announced the opening of its fifth center in North Carolina as Lighthouse continues to strategically grow its footprint in line with its mission of making high-quality ABA therapy services accessible to more children and families across the country. Today, Lighthouse proudly serves more than 1,100 learners across 44 centers in six states, including Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, and North Carolina. "I am honored to join an organization that is making such a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families," said Joseph Giles. "Lighthouse has built its reputation by staying true to its mission and keeping the children and their families at the heart of everything it does. The dedication and compassion of the Lighthouse team is extraordinary, and I am inspired by the impact they have every day. Together, we will build on Lighthouse's strong foundation to reach more communities, strengthen collaboration across each child's care community, and expand the ways we can support learning, growth, and development." Barbara Gromacki, President of Lighthouse, added: "We are thrilled to welcome Joseph to the Lighthouse team. Lighthouse was founded on the belief that every child deserves exceptional, compassionate care to help them reach their potential. Joseph shares this belief and brings deep experience building and leading mission-driven organizations across the healthcare field. I look forward to partnering with him as we continue to deepen the ways we support our exceptional children and bring Lighthouse's care to even more families and communities." About Lighthouse Autism Center Founded in 2012 by parents of a child with autism, Lighthouse Autism Center has grown into the Midwest's leading provider of ABA therapy. With a network of centers across multiple states - including Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, and North Carolina - Lighthouse offers an array of services tailored to meet the unique needs of children with autism. At Lighthouse, ABA therapy is delivered in a natural, play-based environment where children can explore their interests and learn through fun and engagement. Notably, Lighthouse Fusion(R)- a groundbreaking approach to speech therapy - allows children to participate in co-treat sessions with dually certified BCBA/SLPs, enabling comprehensive therapy that promotes accelerated progress in speech and communication skills. Lighthouse Autism Center believes that every child possesses unique and unlimited potential. By combining compassionate care with clinical excellence, Lighthouse is dedicated to unlocking that potential and making a lasting difference in the lives of families across the nation. For more information about Lighthouse Autism Center and its services, please visit www.lighthouseautismcenter.com.