The Challenge: A Broken System
For too many Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), working in corporate ABA feels like a grind. Long hours, impossible caseloads, and little say in how care is delivered—all for a paycheck that barely reflects the value they bring.
“We can’t give you a raise because our overhead is too high.”
Sound familiar?
Behind the scenes, bloated administrative teams and private equity companies in ABA are eating up margins that should be going to the clinicians and their teams. High overhead costs in ABA companies combined with misaligned priorities often leave clinicians overworked and underpaid.
But what if there was a better way—one where ABA practices were clinician-led, not corporate-led?
The Breakthrough: A Different Kind of ABA Practice
That was the question Michael from Alpaca Health posed during his Money Talk 101 webinar:
“You do the work. You should get paid for it. Period.”
His bold perspective sparked conversation across the field. The future of ABA, he argued, isn’t in big corporations or endless acquisitions. It’s in clinician-led, independent practices where BCBAs call the shots—not corporate-led systems prioritizing investors over outcomes.
With the right tools and support, BCBAs can build profitable businesses while focusing entirely on client care—not on hold with insurance companies.
And many BCBAs are already proving it’s possible.
One California-based BCBA shared their story of running your own ABA practice completely independently:
“I built my private practice from scratch in 2021. I do all the business and clinical myself, including credentialing, billing, marketing, and providing all clinical services directly.”
When asked about startup costs and profitability for independent practitioners, they explained:
“My start-up cost was just a few hundred dollars since I’m a sole proprietor. My annual operating expenses are under $10K because I don’t have employees. I’m profitable some years and not others.”
While they valued the autonomy, they admitted the trade-offs:
“I don’t make the same money yet, but that’s not what ‘worth it’ means to me. Long term, I should make more than I ever did. And I have the freedom to choose.”
They also highlighted how taxing it can be to run a solo practice:
“I do all the jobs—clinical, admin, insurance. My work hours vary greatly because of that.”
The Solution: Alpaca Health
For clinicians inspired by independence but wary of becoming a one-person army, Alpaca Health offers an alternative.
Alpaca makes starting an ABA practice radically easier by handling all the back-office admin, including credentialing under master contracts, billing, scheduling, and payroll. This removes major administrative expenses (G&A costs) and allows clinicians to focus on therapy.
The platform provides AI-powered tools so clinicians never have to write a session note again. Even better, Alpaca pays them every two weeks—guaranteed—regardless of insurance delays and reimbursement rates for ABA services. Alpaca Health’s percentage model gives clinicians a 70–80% payout from insurance reimbursements.
Instead of drowning in logistics, clinicians get to do what they do best: deliver high-quality therapy and build relationships with families—all while staying clinician-led, not corporate-led.
Unlike other companies that leave clinicians in chaos after sudden layoffs and rebrands, Alpaca Health has built its reputation on transparency and clinician empowerment.
Understanding the Financial Math Behind ABA
When launching your own practice, understanding the financial math behind ABA is critical. Key considerations include:
RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) pay rates and setting an all-in pay rate (includes taxes & insurance)
Payroll taxes (Social Security, Medicare)
Workers' compensation insurance and liability insurance
Drive time & mileage reimbursement for staff
Administrative expenses (G&A costs) such as software and bookkeeping
Practice management software costs
Billing companies (4–6% fee) for independent practitioners (eliminated under Alpaca’s model)
Alpaca Health’s percentage model (70–80% payout) ensures clinicians get paid on time
By managing these complexities, Alpaca helps clinicians shift their focus from operations to care delivery.
Comparison: DIY vs Supported Model
Challenge | DIY Practice | Alpaca Health Model |
|---|---|---|
Startup Costs | Under $1,000 for a DBA, marketing, and basic tools | No upfront costs for admin tools; Alpaca handles setup |
Credentialing & Billing | Self-taught. “I just applied to be in network and waited for contracts.” | Credentialing under master contracts; clinicians paid every 2 weeks |
Software & Admin | Uses Google Suite and Availity; manually manages data, billing, and copays | All-in-one practice management software for scheduling, notes, and data |
Workload | “I do all the jobs—clinical, admin, billing, marketing.” | Alpaca handles admin; clinicians focus on therapy |
Financial Risk | Inconsistent income; some years profitable, others not | Predictable payouts; Alpaca assumes insurance risk |
Freedom | Total autonomy but must manage every detail | Independence with operational support |
The Results: How Much Can You Really Make?
During the webinar, Michael shared a financial model that caught attendees off guard:
An independent BCBA with seven clients could take home $188,000 a year—while paying RBTs above-market wages and investing in better client outcomes.
Compare that to the average BCBA salary in corporate ABA, and it’s clear why so many clinicians are exploring life outside the corporate system.
By contrast, the Reddit BCBA running a fully solo practice noted their income fluctuated each year and was tied directly to the hours they could personally sustain.
The Innovation: Clinicians in the Driver’s Seat
This isn’t just about money. It’s about ethics, autonomy, and building a future where client care isn’t dictated by financial models and investor ROI.
“Clinicians should own the finances of healthcare,” Michael emphasized.
Looking Ahead: A Movement of Clinician-Led ABA Practices
Alpaca Health is already helping dozens of BCBAs launch thriving practices in states like Texas, Colorado, and Minnesota.
For clinicians weighing the trade-offs of total independence versus supported entrepreneurship, the path is clearer than ever.
Book a demo with Alpaca Health to see how you can start your own clinician-led practice—and take control of your career and income.
