Autism Organizations Back Insurance Reform in West Virginia

February 3, 2011
By Amanda Glensky

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                                                                                              
Media Contact:
Amanda Glensky, Media Specialist
aglensky@autism-society.org
301-657-0881 x9015

Autism Organizations Back Insurance Reform in West Virginia
Bill introduced in West Virginia increases access to healthcare for persons with autism

Bethesda, MD (February 3, 2011) – The Autism Society is calling on autism advocates across the state to support  House Bill 2691 and Senate Bill 281, insurance reform companion bills that would reform insurance coverage and, end discrimination against individuals with autism in West Virginia.  House Bill 2693 and Senate Bill 218 would require private group health insurance plans and the West Virginia Public Employee Health plan to provide coverage for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).

Sponsored in the West Virginia House by State Representative Barbara Evans Fleischauer (District 44 - Monongalia) and in the State Senate by Senator Evan H. Jenkins (District 5 - Cabell) and Acting Senate President Jeffrey V. Kessler (District 2 - Marshall), HB 2693/SB 218 adds autism spectrum disorders to the list of serious mental illnesses for which health insurance coverage parity is required under current West Virginia law. The bill requires that intensive behavioral interventions such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), an evidence-based, medically-necessary therapy for individuals with autism receive coverage.

“We feel that HB 2693/SB 218 would provide the necessary protections and access to medical services for people on the spectrum, so they can stop being discriminated against by the health insurance industry and start getting the medical services they need to reach their full potential," said Autism Society President and CEO Lee Grossman.

SB 218 - HB 2693

•    Would require state regulated private group health insurance plans and the West Virginia Public Employees Health Insurance Plan to provide coverage of the treatment of autism spectrum disorders

•    The bill amends current law requiring coverage for treatment of serious mental illness to include autism spectrum disorders

•    A health care plan may not discriminate between medical-surgical benefits and mental health benefits (including benefits for autism spectrum disorders) in the administration of the plan. This means that the health plan cannot place annual or lifetime coverage limits, visit limits, copayments, deductibles, coinsurance, or requirements regarding provider networks and preauthorization on mental health benefits (including benefits for autism), that are less favorable than medical-surgical benefits under the same plan.

•    Under this bill, health insurance companies would be required to provide coverage of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) 

•    The bill applies only to state regulated group health insurance plans and the West Virginia Public Employees Health Plan. It does not apply to self-funded insurance plans as these plans are regulated by the federal government under ERISA law.

About the Autism Society
The Autism Society, the nation’s leading grassroots autism organization, exists to improve the lives of all affected by autism. Together with more than 150 chapters nationwide, the Autism Society increases public awareness about the day-to-day issues faced by people on the spectrum, advocates for appropriate services for individuals across the lifespan, and provides the latest information regarding treatment, education, research and advocacy. For more information, visit www.autism-society.org.

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