Autism Spectrum Disorders

San Francisco Bay Area Autism Speaks Chapter Endorses Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism Recommendations for Equitable Insurance Coverage for Children With Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorders Library Library Home This article was published in Managed Care Weekly Digest, which you can subscribe to online.

Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the United States. One in 150 children are diagnosed with autism, which is more than the number of children diagnosed with AIDS, juvenile diabetes and cancer combined, yet many of their treatments and therapies are not covered by private or public health insurance. However, autism insurance reform fits well within the state's practice of smart mandates, having minimal cost/premium impact and providing an essential and extraordinary benefit to the affected population.

"Autism Speaks commends the Commission and its staff for reaching out in countless ways to parents and advocates across California and for listening to our concerns about appropriate and equitable health care insurance for children with autism," said Kristin Jacobson, Chapter Advocacy Chair, Autism Speaks California. "We believe that all health plans and insurers should provide a full range of services for children with autism, including intensive behavioral treatment, such as Applied Behavioral Analysis, a highly effective, evidenced-based intensive behavior modification therapy."

According to the report, coverage of health care, behavioral, and psychotherapeutic services for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is limited, inconsistent or excluded altogether. Health plans may deny services for ASD for reasons related to medical necessity that are at odds with medical science. Thus, the frequent denial of these services for ASD by some private health plans may be inconsistent both with current scientific evidence as well as with the standards and approaches that are applied to other illnesses and medical conditions. Finally, health plan denials of ASD services often do not acknowledge or reference the emerging standards of care and best practices that are being developed at autism centers of excellence.

"With a successful push to legislation, California will join twelve other states in addressing this crisis by implementing autism-specific insurance legislation," added Albert Wang M.D., Internal Medical Physician, Blue Ribbon Commissioner, Parent and Founder of Friends of Children with Special Needs.

Autism Speaks also supports the Commission's recommendations for early identification and intervention, improving access to services, preparing teachers and other school-based personnel and increasing awareness and knowledge of autism among law enforcement officers and first responders.

The Commission's report can be viewed at http://senweb03.senate.ca.gov/autism/whatsnew.html.

Keywords: Autism, Developmental Disabilities, Health Insurance, Neurology, The San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of Autism Speaks.

This article was prepared by Managed Care Weekly Digest editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Managed Care Weekly Digest via NewsRx.com.