Class Action Sought Against CIGNA Over ABA Therapy Denials
Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2011/07/08 - Updated: 2026/05/17
Publication Type: Announcement
Contents: Synopsis - Definition - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates - Related Publications
Synopsis: This report covers a federal lawsuit in Philadelphia in which plaintiff Kristopher Churchill, the father of a child with autism, is asking the court to certify a nationwide class action against CIGNA Insurance over the company's policy of classifying Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy as experimental and refusing to cover it under its health plans. The article notes that the court, presided over by Judge Juan R. Sanchez, had already denied CIGNA's motion to dismiss the case, and it summarizes the supporting evidence cited by the plaintiffs, including endorsements of ABA from the U.S. Surgeon General, the National Institute of Mental Health, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, along with the fact that 26 states, including Pennsylvania, mandate insurance coverage for ABA-style autism treatments. It also outlines related litigation by the same plaintiffs' attorneys, including a 2010 class action settlement with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the certified class action Berge v Department of Defense involving TRICARE-covered military families. The information is useful for parents of children with autism, autism advocacy groups, ABA providers, employee benefits attorneys, and policyholders navigating insurance denials.
- Topic Definition: Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is an evidence-informed intervention rooted in the science of learning and behavior that is widely used to support children and adults on the autism spectrum, as well as people with other developmental and behavioral conditions. Delivered by board certified behavior analysts and trained technicians, ABA programs use structured assessment, measurable goals, and techniques such as positive reinforcement, prompting, and data-driven progress monitoring to build skills in communication, social interaction, daily living, learning readiness, and safety, while reducing behaviors that interfere with development or quality of life. Recognized over more than five decades of research by bodies such as the U.S. Surgeon General, the National Institute of Mental Health, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, ABA is required to be covered by many state insurance mandates and by federal programs in the United States.
Introduction
National Class Action Sought Against CIGNA for Denial of ABA Therapy For Autism
A federal court in Philadelphia is reviewing a motion for class action in a lawsuit brought by the father of an autistic child against CIGNA Insurance over its policy of denying insurance coverage for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy.
In his lawsuit, the plaintiff, Kristopher Churchill, alleges that CIGNA has a nationwide policy of classifying ABA as experimental, and therefore not providing insurance coverage for this therapy.
Main Content
The plaintiff claims that the classification of ABA therapy as experimental violates federal laws governing insurance plans. Earlier in the case, the Court denied CIGNA's Motion to Dismiss the case on legal grounds. The case is before Judge Juan R. Sanchez.
According to the lawsuit, ABA is a well recognized and scientifically valid form of autism treatment for children.
Numerous authorities and organizations have supported using ABA to treat autism, including the U.S. Surgeon General and the National Institute of Mental Health. Also, the American Academy of Pediatrics states that the effectiveness of ABA "has been well documented through 5 decades of research." Moreover, 26 states, including Pennsylvania, mandate insurance coverage for ABA-type autism treatments.
Churchill is represented by Gerard Mantese and John Conway of Michigan, and Greg Heller of Pennsylvania. Mantese and Conway are counsel in several cases seeking insurance coverage for ABA therapy.
In 2010, they obtained final approval of a class action against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan requiring payment of approximately $1 million in claims for ABA. Mantese and Conway, and former Michigan State Senator, David Honigman, are also representing thousands of military beneficiaries seeking coverage of ABA therapy from the Department of Defense and its insurer, TRICARE.
In March 2011, a federal court in Washington D.C. granted class action status to the military beneficiaries in that case, Berge v Department of Defense, et al.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: Disputes over whether ABA therapy is "experimental" have shaped autism insurance coverage in the United States for more than a decade, and cases like this one against CIGNA have helped push insurers, state legislatures, and federal programs such as TRICARE toward broader recognition of ABA as a medically necessary treatment. For families who have spent years paying out of pocket or fighting denials letter by letter, class actions remain one of the few tools capable of producing systemic change rather than a one-time appeal.
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.