Re: Health insurers required to treat autism

January 5, 2011

I've heard the same thing about NJ, but what they don't mention is that it's

only true for a standard insurance policy. My husband works for a large company,

and it picks and chooses what's covered in their Blue Cross insurance (not sure

if that's considered self-insured or private?). Any time BC denies treatment

above what is allowed (30 visits/ yr for speech) it is up to my husband's

company to review and approve or deny the claim (and pay accordingly).

As you can imagine, we haven't won a claim yet. While my son is not autistic, I

was told that the laws do not apply to the type of insurance we have.

>

> Health insurers required to treat autism

> Jan 2, 2011 12:54pm

>

> CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Health insurance companies are now required to offer

coverage for autistic children.

>

> The Tahoe Daily Tribune says that insurance policies must now cover the

screening and diagnosis of autism, as well as treatment.

>

> The new provisions went into effect Saturday. The Nevada Legislature passed

the law during the 2009 session but delayed the implementation date.

>

> The autism provisions were added to a list of required coverages for such

things as colorectal cancer screenings and mammograms.

>

> Six other laws went into effect Saturday. They include requirements to track

the progress of students, stricter safety training guidelines for construction

workers and additional education for escrow agents.

>

January 7, 2011

We also have BCBS and my son has PDD-NOS and apraxia. My understanding is that

this " required treatment for autism by insurance companies " are only for the

states whose legislatures have passed laws mandating this. We live in Ohio. As

of right now, the bill for requirment of treatment has stalled in the state

legislature so we are " waiting and hoping " for it to pass. However, states like

Michigan and Missouri have passed these laws. The biggest thing that parents

want it to cover besides speech is ABA, floor time etc.

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