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Minnesota
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Minnesota Autism News:
Autism Speaks Joins the Minnesota Autism Community In Applauding State House Members for Passing Autism Insurance Legislation
Amended Omnibus Health and Human Services Finance Bill Passed by State House Last Night Includes Autism Insurance Reform
NEW YORK, NY (April 28, 2009) -- Autism Speaks today joined Minnesota families and other autism advocacy organizations in applauding the members of the State House for passing autism insurance reform as part of the Omnibus Health and Human Services Finance bill, House File 1362. This bill now contains a provision that requires insurance companies to provide coverage of evidence-based, medically necessary autism therapies. The bill now heads to the State Senate for further action.
“Autism Speaks applauds the members of the Minnesota State House for amending the Omnibus bill to include autism insurance reform and for passing the bill, extending a helping hand to families that have been financially devastated by the lack of insurance coverage for necessary autism therapies,” said Elizabeth Emken, Autism Speaks Vice President of Government Relations. “We now call on the members of the state Senate to follow suit and pass this bill as well, allowing Minnesota to join the ranks of states that have recognized the unfair and unreasonable burden being imposed on families of children with autism”... Read more and post a comment
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Summary of Minnesota Autsim Insurance Reform Bills:
House File 359 - Sponsored by State Representative Kim Norton (District 29B)
Senate File 312 - Sponsored by State Senator Linda Scheid (District 46)
- Requires private health insurance companies to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder
- 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 who determines the care to be medically necessary
- The bill includes coverage of the following treatments: Diagnosis, Habilitative or rehabilitative care, Pharmacy care, Psychiatric care, Psychological care, Therapeutic care, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
- The bill calls for the State Department of Health to adopt rules establishing standards for qualified autism service providers. After the adoption of these rules, payments will only be made to providers that meet these standards
- The bill defines "medically necessary" as any care, treatment, intervention, service, or item that is prescribed, provided, or ordered by a licensed physician or a licenses psychologist that will, or is reasonably expected to
- prevent the onset of an illness, condition, injury, or disability;
- reduce or ameliorate the physical, mental, or developmental effects of an illness, condition, injury, or disability; or
- assist to achieve or maintain maximum functional capacity in performing daily activities, taking into account both the functional capacity of the individual and the functional capacities that are appropriate for individuals of the same age
- The bill applies only to fully-funded health plans governed by state
> Download a printable summary and FAQ
Information Regarding Previous Lawsuits Against BCBS in Minnesota:
One lawsuit was brought against Blue Cross Blue Sheild of Minnesota by the State Attorney General. The settlement agreement for the case reads:
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WHEREAS, the Attorney General and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota desire to promote health and agree that research, treatment and coverage for those in need of mental health, chemical dependency, eating disorder and autism treatment and services needs to and can be advanced throughout the State of Minnesota;
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WHEREAS, the Attorney General and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota agree that this Settlement Agreement and Consent Order is intended to provide a working model for the advancement of the provision of health care treatment and services in Minnesota;
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As a result of the court settlement, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota issued the following policy statement:
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Bill History:
April 27, 2009: Autism insurance reform passed in House as part of the Omnibus Health and Human Services Finance bill (HF 1362 - amended version of this bill coming soon)!
April 14, 2009: SF 312 is passed by the Senate Health, Housing, and Family Security Committee. The bill is amended and referred to the Senate Finance Committee.
April 3, 2009: SF 312 is passed by the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee. The bill is amended and referred to the Senate Health, Housing, and Family Security Committee.
February 26, 2009: HF 359 is passed by the House Commerce and Labor Committee. The bill is amended and referred to the House Finance Committee.
February 9, 2009: HF 359 is passed by the House Health Care and Human Services Policy and Oversight Committee. The bill is referred to the House Commerce and Labor Committee.
January 29, 2009: Autism insruance reform bills, Senate File 312 and House File 359, introduced in the state legislature. SF 312 is referred to the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee. HF 359 is referred to the House Health Care and Human Services Policy and Oversight Committee.
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