Maine

Maine Autism News:

The Joint Insurance and Financial Services Committee Has Passed the Autism Insurance Reform Bill in Unanimous Vote

(February 24, 2010) -- Autism Speaks joins with the Maine autism community today to applaud the members of the Joint Financial Services Committee for passing LD 1198, the autism insurance reform bill, in a unanimous vote.

LD 1198 was amended by the Committee. More details to come on the amendments to the bill.

Featured Maine Headlines:

Autism Speaks Endorses Maine Autism Insurance Reform Bill (March 28, 2009)

Summary of Autism Insurance Reform Bill:

LD 1198 - Sponsored by State Senator Peter Bowman

Requires private health insurance companies to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder
Coverage will be provided to individuals under the age of 21
Coverage under this bill is subject to an inflation adjusted maximum benefit of $36,000 annually
Small businesses (employers with 50 or fewer employees) may "opt out" of providing this coverage
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 applies only to fully-funded group health plans governed by state law

Bill History:

February 24, 2010: LD 1198 is passed unanimously by the Joint Insurance and Financial Services Committee.

January 12, 2010: Joint Insurance and Financial Services Committee holds hearing on LD 1198. No vote is held.

April 3, 2009: LD 1198 unanimously referred by the Committee on Insurance and Financial Services to a study commission at the Bureau of Insurance.

March 30, 2009: Hearing held on LD 1198 before the Committee on Insurance and Financial Services. No vote was taken.

March 25, 2009: Autism insurance reform bills, LD 1198 (SP 446), introduced in the state House and Senate. Bill referred to the House and Senate Committee on Insurance and Financial Services.