Autism Coverage an Emerging Issue for Health Insurance Companies

12/8/2009

One emerging issue in the world of health insurance is autism treatment, with some states weighing proposals to require companies to offer coverage for this increasingly common condition.

This week, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon and various state legislative leaders announced a new effort to compel insurers doing business in the state to cover services involving autism diagnosis and treatment. Similar proposals are already under consideration in a number of other states.

"This legislation would guarantee coverage of proven Applied Behavioral Analysis therapies, protect existing coverage of autism spectrum treatments, and ensure that Missourians' coverage isn't reduced or limited because of an autism diagnosis," said the governor. If passed, the bill would take effect after January 1, 2011.

Supporters of this and other proposals point out that the number of children being diagnosed with autism-related disorders now approaches about 1 percent of the total population, marking a sharp increase in recent years.

Another state considering a similar requirement is Wisconsin. According to WKOW-TV in Madison, parents and supporters of that state's proposal attended a legislative hearing this week to lay out their case for the proposed law.

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