Starting your own ABA practice is a dream for many BCBAs. But for most, the path to ownership feels overwhelming—full of hurdles like insurance contracting, staffing challenges, and the pressure of building a caseload from scratch.
Want to learn how it’s done? Watch our free webinar: The Alpaca Method: How Alpaca-Powered BCBAs Launch Thriving Practices in Under 30 Days.
At Alpaca Health, we’ve helped dozens of clinicians overcome these obstacles to launch thriving practices—fast. Here’s how our model works, why it’s different, and how we can empower you to build a business you’re proud of.
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The Challenge: Why Starting an ABA Practice Feels So Hard
You’re not alone in that vision. According to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), there are now over 75,000 BCBAs nationwide, and many are taking steps to start private practices to gain greater autonomy and flexibility.
But starting your own practice isn’t easy.
Insurance barriers: Credentialing and contracting with payers is complex and time-consuming. Negotiating rates as a solo provider can leave you stuck with the lowest possible reimbursement.
Operational overwhelm: Managing intake, prior authorizations, billing, and payroll requires expertise most clinicians don’t have.
Financial risk: Covering payroll before reimbursements come in means needing large cash reserves just to get started.
Finding clients and staff: Without marketing experience or recruitment strategies, building your first caseload and team feels daunting.
Many BCBAs stall out at the starting line—not because they lack clinical skill, but because the business side feels like an insurmountable mountain.
The Breakthrough: A New Model for Independent Practices
The turning point comes when clinicians realize they don’t have to do it alone.
Instead of figuring out every detail yourself—or paying hundreds of thousands for a franchise model—what if you had a partner to handle the operational and administrative side of the business while you focused on care?
That’s where Alpaca Health comes in.
The Solution: Your Practice in a Box
Alpaca Health provides everything you need to start, run, and grow your ABA practice—all in one place.
Here’s how we support you at every stage:
Insurance Contracting and Credentialing
We handle contracting and credentialing with major payers on your behalf, negotiating competitive rates and getting you in-network faster. In states where we already have contracts, we can credential you under our agreements to speed up the process.Billing and Guaranteed Payouts
Every two weeks, we pay you 70–80% of the insurance reimbursable amount—guaranteed. You’ll always have cash flow to pay yourself and your staff, without worrying about delays from insurance companies.Technology That Works for Small Practices
Our all-in-one EHR system includes scheduling, data collection, payroll, and an AI compliance agent that keeps your operations streamlined and compliant.Marketing and Recruitment Support
We help you build your first caseload and recruit staff with proven marketing playbooks, digital advertising, referral partnerships, and even in-person outreach in your community.Ongoing Coaching and Community
Join a network of BCBAs nationwide who are starting and growing practices just like you. With monthly hangouts, resource libraries, and one-on-one coaching, you’ll never feel alone on the journey.
Starting Your ABA Practice: With vs. Without Alpaca Health
Step | Without Alpaca Health | With Alpaca Health |
Getting Credentialed and Contracted | Navigate payer contracting and credentialing yourself. Can take 6–12 months or longer. Risk of delays, mistakes, or low reimbursement rates as a solo provider. | Alpaca handles all contracting and credentialing for you. Use our existing payer contracts to get in-network faster with better rates. |
Cash Flow and Billing | Pay your staff out-of-pocket while waiting 30–90 days for insurance reimbursements. Risk running out of funds. | Guaranteed biweekly payouts of 70–80% of the insurance rate. Never stress about cash flow or chasing claims. |
Technology and Tools | Pay separately for an EHR, payroll software, billing platforms, and other tools. These systems are often built for large companies, not small practices. | Use Alpaca’s all-in-one EHR designed for small practices, with built-in scheduling, data collection, billing, and AI-powered compliance. |
Marketing and Finding Clients | Build a website, create materials, network with referral sources, and figure out digital ads alone. Trial and error takes time and money. | Alpaca provides marketing playbooks, in-house client marketing campaigns, and community referrals to help you find your first caseload fast. |
Staffing and Recruitment | Post jobs, screen applicants, and onboard staff without support. | Alpaca guides you with recruitment strategies and templates to hire and train behavior technicians quickly. |
Operational Support | Manage intake, authorizations, billing, payroll, and compliance on your own. High risk of burnout. | Alpaca manages operations end-to-end so you can focus on delivering care. |
Risk of Denials and Mistakes | Denied claims mean lost revenue and potential cash flow issues. | Alpaca takes on the risk—if insurance denies a claim, you keep your payout, and we handle the resolution process. |
Upfront Costs | Need $50K–$150K+ in liquidity for payroll, rent, and software before revenue comes in. | No upfront costs. Start your practice without needing large cash reserves. |
Community and Coaching | Facebook groups and forums offer advice, but they’re not personalized or always reliable. | Join a network of BCBAs starting their own practices, get one-on-one coaching, and access Alpaca’s resource library and playbooks. |
The Results: Practices That Launch Fast and Grow with Confidence
Clinicians who partner with Alpaca Health are able to:
Launch their practice in as little as 30 days
Secure in-network contracts and start seeing clients faster
Avoid cash flow issues with consistent, guaranteed payouts
Build a team and a caseload without the stress of solo marketing
Focus on providing high-quality care instead of chasing claims and paperwork
The Innovation: Why Our Model is Different
Unlike software-only providers or expensive franchises, Alpaca Health aligns our success with yours.
We don’t charge upfront fees or require you to keep $100,000 in a business account. Instead, we invest in your practice from day one, paying you first and earning our share only when insurance reimburses us.
This partnership model ensures:
Aligned incentives: We succeed when you succeed.
Lower risk for you: No massive startup costs or financial burden.
Faster growth: Our systems are designed to help small practices thrive—not just survive.
The Tools and Technology Behind Your Success
Our platform was built specifically for independent practices:
All-in-One EHR: Manage scheduling, data collection, billing, and payroll in one place.
AI Compliance Agent: Generate session notes, avoid billing errors, and stay audit-ready.
End-to-End Support: From intake and verification of benefits to marketing and staff onboarding, we’ve got you covered.
Looking Ahead: Build a Practice That Fits Your Life
With Alpaca Health, you’re not just starting a business—you’re creating a career and lifestyle on your terms. Whether your goal is to grow into a center-based model, stay small and focused, or innovate with parent-led care, we’ll support your vision every step of the way.
Advice to BCBAs Considering This Path
If you’ve been waiting for the “right time” to start your practice, know this: you don’t have to do it alone.
The path is possible—with the right partner, the right tools, and a proven blueprint to guide you.
Take the first step today.
Schedule a call with Alpaca Health and let’s build the practice you’ve been dreaming of.
