Minnesota

Autism Insurance Reform Workshop! - February 22

Do you ever wish your health insurance would actually cover the treatments and therapies that your child needs?

Has your child ever been denied coverage for a medically necessary treatment or therapy?

Do you have limits on visits for speech or occupational therapy?

If you have encountered any of these problems, plan to attend this workshop which will be held on Monday, February 22nd from 6:30pm to 8:00pm at the Eagan Westcott Library located at 1340 Wescott Road, Eagan, MN. If you need to call the library, their number is (651) 688-1500.  Join us to learn more about what insurance is legally required to cover and how to help fight health insurance discrimination! 

Bring a friend with you! They don't have to be the parent of a child with autism butsomeone who will join in this advocacy effort with you! Think outside the box and ask your neighbor, coworker, family member or friend to tag along and learn why this issue is so important to you.

Featured Minnesota Headlines:

Autism Insurance Reform Bill Introduced in Minnesota State Legislature; Hearing to Be Held on Wednesday Feb. 4! (February 4, 2009) 

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:

• 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;

• 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;

• Read Full Settlement Agreement 

As a result of the court settlement, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota issued the following policy statement:

• Pervasive Developmental Disorders: Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment