15-Minute Units Calculator for ABA in Florida Medicaid (8-Minute Rule)
What it is for
A calculator for the 15-minute billing units in Florida Medicaid's behavior analysis coverage policy. Type the minutes of one service: it divides by 15, adds one unit when the remainder is 8 minutes or more, shows the math and tells you how many minutes are missing for the next unit. The chart lists the minutes for each unit, and the printable version goes up to 16 units. The rule comes from the fee-for-service section of the December 2024 policy.
What it includes
- Calculator: units, the math behind them and the minutes to the next unit
- Minutes-to-units chart on the page
- Printable chart from 0 to 16 units (PDF)
15-minute units calculator
Type the minutes of one service. The calculator applies the rule of Florida Medicaid’s coverage policy.
Everything you type stays in this browser.
Minutes to units
| Minutes of service | Billable units |
|---|---|
| 0 to 7 | 0 |
| 8 to 22 | 1 |
| 23 to 37 | 2 |
| 38 to 52 | 3 |
| 53 to 67 | 4 |
| 68 to 82 | 5 |
| 83 to 97 | 6 |
| 98 to 112 | 7 |
| 113 to 127 | 8 |
How to use it
- Type the total minutes of one service, as documented in the session note.
- Read the billable units and the minutes left over.
- Check the units against what is authorized for that code.
The rule it applies
What it does not check
- Your SMMC plan’s own billing rules: the policy’s reimbursement section applies to fee-for-service.1
- Unit limits per code: for example, 97151 is capped at 24 units per behavior assessment.2
- Whether the session note supports the minutes: it records the date, time, location and duration of the service.1
Questions about the tool
How many units is 52 minutes?
Three. 52 minutes is 3 full units (45 minutes) plus 7 minutes, and 7 is under 8, so it does not count. At 53 minutes the remainder is 8 and the service is 4 units.
Does it apply to SMMC health plans?
The calculator applies the rule in the fee-for-service reimbursement section of the coverage policy. Check your plan's contract or provider manual for how it counts units.
Sources
- Florida Medicaid Behavior Analysis Services Coverage Policy. Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), December 2024, Rule 59G-4.125, F.A.C.
- Behavior Analysis Fee Schedule. Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), October 1, 2024.
Educational tool. It does not replace clinical judgment, legal advice or your payer’s rules. Always check the current version of each source.