Alaska

Alaska Autism News:

Treating Autism Early Will Save Us Special Ed Funds Later - An Op-Ed by Alaska State Representative Pete Peterson

(April 9, 2010 - Anchorage Daily News) -- "April is Autism Awareness Month, and this year the Legislature has the chance to meaningfully support autistic children and their families. There are many hardships and burdens faced by the parents of autistic children, and a simple fix will help alleviate the financial burden on autistic families"... Read more

Help Us Move HB 187 Out of Committee!

CALL THE COMMITTEE CHAIR! Call House HSS Committee Chair Wes Keller and ask him to move HB187 favorably out of his committee. HB 187 has been heard in his Committee twice, yet Chairman Keller is refusing to move the bill!

> You can contact Chairman Keller at: (907) 465-2186. Please be polite and persistent. Tell him that families dealing with the challenges of autism can no longer afford to wait!

Autism Speaks Endorses Alaska Autism Insurance Reform Bill (March 19, 2009)

Summary of Autism Insurance Reform Bill:

House Bill 187 - Sponsored by State Representative Pete Petersen

Senate Bill 250 - Sponsored by State Senator Bettye Davis

• 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
  
  
• Coverage will be subject to an inflation adjusted maximum benefit of $36,000 per year 
  
  
• 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 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 law
  
  
• If passed, this bill will go into effect immediately