“Committee approves autism insurance coverage bill - AP - msnbc.com” plus 1 more |
| Committee approves autism insurance coverage bill - AP - msnbc.com Posted: LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A House panel has approved a proposal to require most health insurance companies to cover diagnosis and treatment of autism. The House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee gave its endorsement Tuesday morning to the bill sponsored by Democratic Rep. Uvalde Lindsey of Fayetteville. Jonesboro native Dayna Miller says her family could have been spared the financial burden it faces today if the measure had been in force earlier. Miller's son Briar was diagnosed with autism when he was three years old, and Miller said she sold her house, took out more than a hundred thousand dollars in student loans and considered selling her own kidney to pay for an intensive therapy that research indicated could help him. Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| W.Va. House approves autism insurance coverage - Yahoo Finance Posted: , On Thursday February 10, 2011, 4:21 pm EST CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- West Virginia children with autism would get treatment under legislation passed Thursday by the House of Delegates. The 96-1 vote sends the Senate a measure requiring private and public insurers to pay for applied behavioral analysis, or ABA therapy, a treatment considered crucial. The diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder applies to neurological conditions marked by impaired thinking, feeling, speaking and the ability to relate to others. Usually first diagnosed in early childhood, the spectrum of conditions includes a severe form called autistic disorder and the much milder Asperger's syndrome. At least 23 states require such coverage, though most cap benefits. The Council for Affordable Health Care, an industry research group, estimates that the resulting costs from these mandates increase premiums by between 1 and 3 percent. The House bill includes caps. Following a diagnosis, insurance would cover up to $30,000 annually for the first three years of treatment. The bill then limits benefits to $2,000 a month until the child turns 18. Supporters cite experts who urge early intervention and intensive ABA therapy following diagnosis. "We don't want to miss that critical window," said Lorri Unumb of Autism Speaks, a national advocacy group. "Some kids are being diagnosed at 18 months or 2 years." Delegate Ralph Rodighiero told colleagues how the treatment helped his son with autism. Now 18, he graduated high school 21st in his class, attends college and has a job, the Logan County Democrat said. "He's going to be a productive citizen," said Rodighiero, a UPS driver. "With this bill we've passed, the other children with autism will have hopes of doing the same thing." Before Thursday's amendment, the House bill had limited coverage to treatment by a board certified behavior analyst. It now also covers an analyst-supervised tutor, offering parents more therapy options and insurers a less-expensive specialist. Unumb applauded the changes and called the bill a major step in a multiyear effort. But Fred Earley, president of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia, questioned the inclusion of tutors. He noted that the bill allows them to hold only a high school or equivalent diploma, as long as they've also provided at least 500 hours of ABA therapy. "I'm a little surprised by the change in the language as to who is qualified," said Earley, who oversees the state's largest private insurer. "That's clearly outside the norm." The Senate also has a pending bill that includes no benefit limits. While preferring no caps, Unumb said the House bill may help supporters avoid conflicting with a 2002 state law addressing mental health parity. The state insurance commissioner is researching whether a coverage mandate would trigger a cost-containment provision in that law. Delegate Ron Walters voted against the bill. Among other concerns, the Kanawha County Republican afterward said some bill provisions lack enough detail, while others could result in unintended costs. "I don't think enough caution was taken to nail everything down," Walters said. "It can be cleaned up. It could be a good bill. It could be worth passing." One in every 110 children in the U.S. has autism, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates. The National Institute of Mental Health considers it more common among children than diabetes, spina bifida, or Down syndrome. An estimated 1,230 children with autism attended West Virginia public schools last year. The state Medicaid program reported spending $31 million in the 2009 budget year on 805 individuals with autism, for an average of $38,509 per person. Follow Yahoo! Finance on ; become a fan on Facebook. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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