Autism Insurance Mandate Passes in Missouri
Posted in Health Insurance
May 11th, 2010
An autism insurance mandate that would require health insurers to cover up to $45,000 annually of intensive therapy for autistic children passed Thursday by the Missouri Senate. Senators and parents of autistic children have been pushing for the legislation to pass for some time and now hope that a final version this health insurance bill can reach the governor’s desk by the May 14 end of the legislative session.
Specifics of the Autism Bill
The autism bill will cover a wide spectrum of neurological disorders that affect about one out of 110 children in the United States. The bill would be effective by the Missouri legislation on Jan. 1, 2011 and cover children through 18 years old for “applied behavioral analysis, which is an intensive therapy said to produce dramatic improvements in autistic children.
Legislation Applies to Employees of Small- and Medium-Sized Businesses
The victory for parents of autistic children is one that is designated for employees of small- to medium-sized businesses and only if their group health insurance policies are regulated by the state (employers with 50 or more employees would be exempt if they could prove that their premiums by 2.5 percent over the previous year). It would not apply to large employers that insure themselves and are regulated by the federal government. Also, Missourians who have individual insurance policies would be able to purchase autism coverage.
Bill Must Return to the House First
The bill needs to reach the governor’s desk by May 14; however, it’ must go back to the House first for final approval. The House passed a version of the bill earlier this year, but with lower coverage caps. If they pass the bill then this will mark a historic moment in health insurance where autistic children can receive funding for this expensive therapy.
Other states have pushed for their own autism legislation that would require health insurance companies to cover a portion of the therapy. Utah has been pushing for legislation for well over a year and hopes to pass its own bill that would be effective Oct. 1, 2010.