Puerto Rico's behavioral health sector saw a modest but concentrated increase in the latest CMS NPI registry update, with a total of 21 providers registered. This represents less than 1% of the national weekly total. Notably, 10 new providers were added this week, accounting for all new registrations in the territory for the entire year to date. This indicates a recent, focused surge in NPI applications within Puerto Rico.
Credential Mix and Workforce Composition
For the ABA community, this update shows no new Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) or Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) were added to the registry this week, nor were there any individuals with dual BCBA and RBT credentials. This absence suggests that the recent growth in NPI registrations in Puerto Rico is not directly contributing to the ABA workforce, which relies on these specific certifications for service delivery and supervision. The new providers include a mix of other behavioral health professionals, with 2 Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP), 2 Public Health Licentiates (PHL), 1 Doctor of Philosophy (PHD), 1 Medical Doctor (MD), 1 Master of Social Work (MSW), and 1 Master of Science (MS). Additionally, 4 providers in this cohort hold multiple taxonomies, indicating a breadth of services offered by some registrants.
Demographics and Organizational Footprint
Of the 15 individual providers registered, the workforce shows a significant gender imbalance. 13 female individuals comprise 87% of the individual registrants, while 2 male individuals make up 13%. The remaining 6 providers are organizations. No specific organizations appeared multiple times in this week's data. The top cities for new registrations include San Juan, Ponce, Hato Rey, Moca, and Caguas. The absence of BCBAs and RBTs in this update suggests a potential gap in the growth of the ABA workforce, which could impact access to ABA services in the territory.
