Arkansas

Arkansas Autism News:

Implementation Meeting for New Insurance Law Held at UAMS in Little Rock

LITTLE ROCK, AR (September 29, 2011) --
The Arkansas Autism Resource and Outreach Center
hosted an implementation meeting on the state's
new autism insurance reform law on September 29.

Arkansas legislative champions and volunteers attend signing ceremony for HB 1315 with Governor Mike Beebe.

Arkansas Becomes the First State In 2011 And The 24th State Overall To Enact Autism Insurance Reform Legislation

Autism Speaks Joins with the Arkansas Autism Community in Applauding Governor Mike Beebe for Signing House Bill 1315 into Law Today

NEW YORK, NY (March 4, 2011) – Autism Speaks joined Arkansas families today in applauding Governor Mike Beebe for signing into law House Bill 1315, now Act 196. This new law requires insurance companies to provide coverage of evidence-based, medically necessary autism therapies, such as applied behavior analysis (ABA).

Sponsored in the Arkansas House by State Representative Uvalde Lindsey (District 88) and escorted through the Senate by Senator Mary Anne Salmon, Act 196 includes coverage of behavioral health treatments, such as ABA therapy. The law includes a maximum benefit for ABA therapy of up to $50,000 annually until the individual reaches age 18.

“We thank Governor Beebe for signing HB 1315 into law,” said Peter Bell, Autism Speaks executive vice president of programs and services. “This enactment allows Arkansas to join the growing number of states that have recognized the unfair and unreasonable burden being imposed on individuals diagnosed with autism and their families.”

Some states do not require private insurance companies to cover even essential autism treatments and services. In the absence of coverage, families often pay as much as they can out-of-pocket for services that can cost upwards of $50,000 per year. In the process, many risk their homes and the educations of their unaffected children – essentially mortgaging their entire futures.

“We are so grateful for our legislative champions, Representative Lindsey and Senator Salmon, and for the overwhelming support of the Arkansas Legislature and Governor Mike Beebe,” said Dianna Varady, Autism Speaks Arkansas State Advocacy Chair. “This is a historic day for Arkansas and for families living with autism, and I’m so proud of our elected officials for seeing this through.”

Governor Beebe will host a public signing of the bill this coming Tuesday, March 8, 2011.

In addition to Arkansas, 23 states – Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, and Wisconsin – have enacted autism insurance reform legislation. Several other state legislatures are considering similar legislation during the current 2011 session.

Check out these photos from the March 1, 2011 Senate Committee Hearing:

(Left to right) State Senator Mary Anne Salmon, Autism Speaks Arkansas State Advocacy Chair Dianna Varady, bill sponsor Representative Uvalde Lindsey, and Autism Speaks Senior Policy Advisor & Counsel Lorri Unumb

Lorri Unumb (center), Autism Speaks Senior Policy Advisor & Counsel, with Committee Chairman Jack Crumbly (right) and bill sponsor, Senator Uvalde Lindsey (left)

Arkansas families and advocates listen as the Senate Committee debates HB 1315

Autism Speaks Joins the Arkansas Autism Community In Applauding Senate Members For Passing Autism Insurance Reform Legislation (March 3, 2011)

Autism Speaks Joins the Arkansas Autism Community In Applauding House Members For Passing Autism Insurance Reform Legislation (February 25, 2011)

Autism Speaks Endorses The Arkansas Autism Insurance Reform Bill (February 3, 2011)

Autism Speaks Endorses Arkansas Autism Insurance Reform Bill  (March 18, 2009)

Summary of the 2011 Autism Insurance Insurance Reform Law (Act 196) sponsored by Rep. Uvalde Lindsey (District 88)

The new law:

Requires health insurance companies to provide coverage of the screening, diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders


• Imposes no cap on the number of visits
  
  
• Requires that coverage not be subject to dollar limits, deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance or other terms and conditions that are less favorable than those that apply to physical illness generally under the health plan
  
  
• Directs that 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
  
  
• Requires health insurance companies to provide coverage of :
  • Diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder - meaning medically necessary assessments, evaluations, or tests to diagnose whether an individual has an autism spectrum disorders
  • Applied behavior analysis (ABA)
  • Pharmacy care
  • Psychiatric care
  • Psychological care
  • Therapeutic care - meaning services provided by licensed speech therapists, occupational therapists, or physical therapists
  • Any care for individuals with autism spectrum disorders that is determined by a licensed physician to be medically necessary and evidence-based treatment for autism spectrum disorders
    
    
• Caps ABA benefits at $50,000 and an age cap of 18 years old 
  
  
• 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
  

• Applies only to state regulated insurance plans; it does not apply to self-funded insurance plans which are regulated by the federal government under ERISA law
  
  
• The law will go into effect October 1, 2011