Missouri

Missouri Autism News:

The Power of a Legislative Champion: SB 618 Passes Second Reading in MO Senate

(February 4, 2010) -- The Missouri autism insurance reform bill, Senate Bill 618, faced two days of debate on the floor of the State Senate this past week. The bill’s sponsor, Missouri State Senator Scott Rupp, fought incredibly hard against opposition and amendments that sought to weaken the bill. Thanks to Senator Rupp’s passionate and well prepared arguments in support of this bill, SB 618 passed its second reading and was perfected (meaning no more amendments can be added). The bill now heads to the Fiscal Oversight committee before being read on the floor for a third time for the final vote.

Watch footage of Senator Rupp discussing SB 618

On the House side, HB 1311 passed out of the Special Standing Committee on Insurance and has now been placed in the Rules Committee for consideration as early as next week before heading to the floor for its second reading.

Gov. Nixon Presses for Autism Coverage in His State of the State Address

Featured Missouri Headlines:

Autism Speaks Joins the Missouri Autism Community In Applauding State Senate Members for Passing Autism Insurance Legislation (April 23, 2009)

Summary of MIssouri Autism Insurance Reform Bills:

Senate Bill 618 - Sponsored by State Senator Scott B. Rupp (R-2)

House Bill 1311 - Sponsored by State Representative Dwight Scharnhorst (R-93)

Would require health insurance companies to provide coverage of the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders for individuals under the age of 21
Coverage of treatments will be provided when prescribed, provided, or ordered for an individual diagnosed with autism by a licensed physician or a licensed psychologist in accordance with a treatment plan
Under this bill, health insurance companies would be required to provide coverage of the following:
- Diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder - meaning medically necessary assessments, evaluations, including neuropsychological evaluations, genetic testing, or other testing to determine whether an individual has one or more autism spectrum disorders
- Habilitative or rehabilitative care - meaning professional counseling, guidance, services, and treatment programs, including applied behavior analysis (ABA) and other behavioral health treatments, that are necessary to develop, maintain, and restore to the maximum possible extent an individuals functioning
- Pharmacy care
- Psychiatric care
- Psychological care
- Therapeutic care - meaning services provided by licensed or certified speech language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, or social workers
SB 618 requires coverage for applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy is subject to a maximum benefit of $55,000 per year
The bill does not affect any obligation to provide services to an individual under an individualized family service plan, an individualized education program (IEP), or an individualized services plan
The bill applies only to state regulated insurance plans. It does not apply to self-funded insurance plans, as these plans are regulated by the federal government under ERISA law
If enacted, this bill would take effect on August 28, 2010

Bill History:

February 3, 2010: HB 1311 is passed by the Special Standing Committee on Health Insurance. The bill is referred to the Rules Committee.

February 3, 2010: SB 618 passes second reading on Senate floor. This bill has been perfected (no more amendments can be added) and heads to its third reading/final vote in the Senate.

January 25, 2010: SB 618 passed by Senate Small Business, Insurance, and Industry Committee in vote of 9 to 0.

January 19, 2010: SB 618 is heard by the Senate Small Business, Insurance and Industry Committee. HB 1311 is heard by the Special Standing Committee on Health Insurance. No vote is held in either Committee.

January 7, 2010: The 2010 legislative session opens with introduction of new autism insurance reform bills - SB 618, sponsored by Sen. Rupp, and HB 1311, sponsored by Rep. Scharnhorst

July 17, 2009: House Speaker Ron Ron Richard creates an interim committee to draft regulations for insurance coverage of autism.

May 15, 2009: Unfortunately, the Missouri State Legislature finished its 2009 session without passage of the autism insurance reform bills. Get ready MO, because we will be back in Jefferson City next year to get this legislation passed!

May 11, 2009: SB 167 passed out of House Rules Committee and heads to the House floor.

April 23, 2009: SB 167 passed on the Senate floor! The bill now heads to House.

April 23, 2009: SB 167 passes out of the Senate Government Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee. The bill now heads to Senate floor!

March 24, 2009: Senate votes on second reading of SB 167. Amendment offered and defeated. Perfected version of SB 167 referred for third reading (no more amendments can be offered)

March 5, 2009: House Health Care Policy Committee passed HB 357 with amendments. House Committee Substitute is sent to the House Rules Committee.

March 3, 2009: Senate Small Business & Industry Committee passes SB 167 with amendments. Senate Committee Substitute for SB 167 is sent to the Senate floor.

February 18, 2009: House Health Care Policy Committee holds hearing on HB 357. No vote is held.

February 17, 2009: Senate Small Business & Industry Committee holds hearing on SB 167. No vote is held.

January 22, 2009: Autism insurance reform bill, House Bill 357, introduced in the State House by Representative Dwight Scharnhorst. Bill is referred to the Health Care Policy Committee.

January 8, 2009: Autism insurance reform bill, Senate Bill 167, introduced in State Senate by State Senator Scott B. Rupp. Bill is referred to Small Business & Industry Committee.