CentralReach vs. RethinkBH: Which fits your ABA clinic?

Running an ABA clinic means juggling many tasks at once. You need to schedule sessions, collect data, handle ABA billing, and manage staff. The right software can make all these jobs easier. Two popular choices are CentralReach and RethinkBH. Both have strengths, but they work better for different types of clinics.

This guide will help you pick the best option for your needs.

What Makes Each Platform Different?

CentralReach: The All-in-One Solution

CentralReach bills itself as a complete platform. It connects scheduling, documentation, and ABA billing in one system. Think of it as a Swiss Army knife for ABA clinics. Everything links together, which helps when you're managing multiple locations or complex schedules.

The platform grew from combining different tools over time. This means it has deep features for practice management and mobile data collection. If you want one system that handles everything from booking appointments to sending claims, CentralReach aims to be that solution.

RethinkBH: The Clinical-First Approach

RethinkBH takes a different path. It started with strong clinical tools and treatment planning. Then it added practice management and ABA billing services. The platform feels more focused on helping therapists do better clinical work while still handling the business side.

What makes RethinkBH stand out is its marketplace of add-on tools. You can connect to other software you already use.

Day-to-Day Operations: How They Compare

Scheduling and Staff Management

CentralReach uses AI to help with scheduling. This is useful when you're dealing with cancellations, waitlists, and staff who work at multiple sites. The system tries to fill gaps automatically and keeps track of who's available when.

RethinkBH offers solid scheduling tool,s too, but focuses more on making the process simple to learn. New staff can get up to speed faster, which matters if you have high turnover.

Bottom Line: If your clinic is growing fast or has complex scheduling needs, CentralReach might be better. If you want something easier to learn, RethinkBH could be the way to go.

Mobile Data Collection and EVV

Both platforms work on phones and tablets, but they handle it differently.

CentralReach has CR Mobile, which works even when the internet is spotty. This is huge for therapists who work in homes or schools where WiFi isn't reliable. The app handles Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) requirements that many states now require.

RethinkBH also has mobile tools, but they're more focused on clinical data collection. The goal banks and treatment planning features work well on mobile devices.

Bottom Line: If your therapists do lots of in-home visits, CentralReach's offline features give you an edge. For center-based work, both options work well.

Clinical Documentation and Treatment Planning

This is where the platforms really differ.

RethinkBH shines with clinical content. It has built-in treatment planning tools, goal banks, and educational resources. New therapists get more guidance on how to write good treatment plans and track progress.

CentralReach has clinical tools, too, but they're more focused on connecting to ABA billing and reporting. The documentation flows directly into claims, which reduces errors.

Bottom Line: If your team needs more clinical support and training resources, pick RethinkBH. If you want documentation that seamlessly becomes billable claims, go with CentralReach.

The Money Side: ABA Billing and Revenue Management

This choice affects how fast you get paid and how much work ABA billing takes.

CentralReach's Approach

CentralReach connects everything in one flow. When a therapist finishes a session, the notes automatically feed into ABA billing. The system checks for common errors and helps prevent claim denials.

This tight connection works well if you have staff who can handle ABA billing internally. You get one system to learn and manage.

RethinkBH's Approach

RethinkBH offers two paths. You can use their software to handle billing yourself, or you can pay for their ABA billing services team to do it for you.

Their ABA billing services include:

• Checking insurance eligibility

• Reviewing claims before submission

• Following up on denials

• Managing accounts receivable

This is helpful if you don't want to hire ABA billing staff or if you're struggling with claim denials.

Bottom Line: Choose CentralReach if you want one integrated system. Choose RethinkBH if you want the option to outsource ABA billing headaches.

Integrations and Add-Ons

CentralReach has been around longer and connects with many third-party tools. They also have separate products for school-based ABA services.

RethinkBH has a growing marketplace where you can add tools like Autism Analytica for assessments and data analysis.

Before choosing, make a list of other software you use. Check which platform connects with your existing tools.

Cost Considerations

Neither company publishes standard pricing online. Most deals are custom-based on your clinic's size and needs.

When comparing costs, include:

• Monthly software fees

• Set up and training costs

• Per-user charges

• ABA Billing service fees (if using RethinkBH's services)

• Integration costs

• Clearinghouse fees for claim submission

Ask both companies for a total cost breakdown over three years. Sometimes the cheaper monthly fee ends up costing more with all the add-ons.

Making Your Decision

Here's a simple way to think about your choice:

Choose CentralReach if:

• You want everything in one connected system

• Your clinic is growing or has multiple locations

• You have staff who can handle ABA billing

• Your therapists do lots of in-home visits

• You value tight integration from scheduling to claims

Choose RethinkBH if:

• You want strong clinical tools and resources

• You prefer to outsource ABA billing and insurance follow-up

• Your team values ease of use over complex features

• You want a growing marketplace of add-on tools

• You're looking for vendor-managed revenue cycle services

Also Read Comparison Between Rethink vs AlohaABA — Choosing the Right ABA Scheduling Software for Your Clinic CentralReach vs Theralytics: Find the Perfect Fit for Your ABA Practice

Testing Before You Buy

Don't pick based on marketing materials alone. Here's how to test each platform:

1. Request real-world demos. Use scenarios from your actual clinic, like handling a cancellation or submitting a complex claim.

2. Test the mobile apps. Have your therapists try collecting data and completing EVV on the actual devices they'll use.

3. Review ABA billing features carefully. If ABA billing is a pain point, spend extra time on this part of the demo.

4. Talk to references. Ask each company for contacts at clinics similar to yours.

5. Calculate total costs. Get quotes that include everything, not just the base software fee.

The Real Impact on Your Clinic

Your software choice affects more than just daily workflows. It impacts:

• How fast do you get paid by insurance

• How much time do staff spend on paperwork

• How quickly can you onboard new therapists

• Your ability to grow and add locations

• The quality of data for treatment planning

The best choice is the one that solves your biggest problems while fitting your budget and team's abilities.

Both CentralReach and RethinkBH are solid options used by successful ABA clinics. The key is matching the platform's strengths to your clinic's specific needs and growth plans.

Take time to demo both platforms thoroughly. Your software will be central to your operations for years to come, so it's worth getting this decision right.

Ready to Streamline Your ABA Billing Process?

While choosing the right software is important, having expert ABA billing support can make an even bigger difference in your clinic's success. At Cube Therapy Billing, we specialize in ABA medical billing and work seamlessly with both CentralReach and RethinkBH - or any other platform you prefer.

Why ABA clinics choose Cube Therapy Billing:

• Expert claim submission that reduces denials by up to 90%

• Insurance eligibility verification before every session

• Dedicated follow-up on rejected claims and appeals

• Detailed reporting so you always know your financial position

• Compliance expertise to keep you updated on changing regulations

Don't let billing headaches slow down your clinic's growth. Whether you're using CentralReach, RethinkBH, or any other platform, our team can integrate with your existing workflow and handle the complex world of ABA insurance billing.

Contact Cube Therapy Billing today to learn how we can boost your revenue while you focus on what matters most - providing excellent ABA therapy services to your clients.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I switch from one platform to another later if needed?

Yes, but switching ABA software platforms takes significant time and effort. You'll need to export data from your current system, train staff on the new platform, and possibly rebuild workflows. Most platforms can help with data migration, but expect 2-3 months for a full transition. To avoid this hassle, spend extra time evaluating options upfront and choose the platform that can grow with your clinic long-term.

2. Do I need separate ABA billing staff if I choose CentralReach?

CentralReach provides the tools for ABA billing, but you still need someone who knows how to use them effectively. You can handle ABA billing in-house with trained staff, or you can work with a third-party ABA billing company that uses CentralReach. The platform makes billing easier, but it doesn't eliminate the need for billing expertise. RethinkBH offers billing services as part of their platform, which means their team handles the billing work for you.

3. How important is offline capability for mobile data collection?

Offline capability is crucial if your therapists work in locations with unreliable internet, such as homes, schools, or community settings. Without offline capability, therapists might lose session data if the connection drops, leading to missed ABA billing opportunities and incomplete treatment records. CentralReach's CR Mobile specifically addresses this with robust offline features. If most of your services happen in your clinic with reliable WiFi, offline capability is less critical, and either platform will work well.