Kentucky Autism News:
Kentucky State Legislature Holds Joint Hearing on Autism Insurance Reform
 Frankfort, KY (August 25, 2009) -- Today, the Joint Banking and Insurance Committee held a hearing on autism insurance reform at the Kentucky State Capital. The hearing was attended by dozens of families dressed in red. Members of the Committee listened intently and asked probing questions for an hour and a half. Speaker of the House Greg Stumbo, while not a member of the Committee, also attended and participated in the hearing.
Those who testified in support of autism insurance reform included: Lorri Unumb, Senior Policy Advisor and Counsel for Autism Speaks, Anne Gregory, Janet Pope, FEAT of KY, and Dr. Stacy Trinkle. Sen. Ray Jones, who introduced the autism insurance reform bill in 2009, also gave an impassioned plea in support of the legislation.
Following the hearing, Lorri Unumb and Bart Baldwin, a lobbyist for the Children’s Alliance who has volunteered his time for this effort, conducted a two-hour advocacy training session for parents and other interested parties.
Miss Kentucky, Mallory Ervin, attended the hearing and the advocacy training session; autism is her platform issue for the year.
Legislation for autism insurance reform was passed by the Senate Committee in 2009 and will be refilled for 2010 session by Rep. Scott Brinkman and Sen. Ray Jones.
Pictured above: Lorri Unumb, Autism Speaks Senior Policy Advisor and Counsel (left) and Mallory Ervin, Miss Kentucky (right)
Summary of Autism Insurance Reform Effort in Kentucky:
-
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 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 and to state health plans offered to public employees
|
