Montana saw 17 new behavioral health providers in the latest CMS NPI registry update, contributing less than 1% of the national weekly total. With a total of 31 providers in this update, the state shows a modest, yet active, behavioral health landscape, with a notable number of new enrollments this week.
ABA Workforce Dynamics
Within the applied behavior analysis (ABA) sector, the data reveals a significant gap in the workforce, with 0 Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) identified in this update. While 2 providers are identified with an RBT taxonomy, only 1 holds a BT credential. This critical absence of BCBAs poses a substantial challenge for establishing and expanding ABA services, as Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) require direct supervision from BCBAs. Beyond ABA, the state's behavioral health professionals include 2 LCPCs, 2 LCSWs, 2 MSW, LCSW professionals, 2 ACLCs, and 2 PCLCs, indicating a broader focus on counseling and social work.
Provider Demographics
Among the 22 individual providers, the workforce is predominantly female, with 21 (95%) identifying as female and 1 (5%) as male. Benefis Hospitals, Inc. appeared twice in the organizational data, indicating its role as a multi-specialty provider in the state. The absence of other large, multi-state ABA chains suggests a more localized and less consolidated market in this particular update.
Overall, Montana's behavioral health sector demonstrates a diverse range of professionals, but the critical shortage of BCBAs highlights a significant barrier to increasing access to essential ABA services for individuals in the state.
