New Hampshire

New Hampshire Autism News:

Autism Speaks Joins the New Hampshire Autism Community In Applauding State House Passage Of Autism Insurance Reform Legislation

New Hampshire House Passes Connor’s Law in 213 to 147 Vote

Concord, NH (January 6, 2010) – Autism Speaks today joined New Hampshire families and advocates in applauding the members of the State House for passing Connor’s Law, House Bill 569, an amendment to current law that will require insurance companies to provide coverage of evidence-based, medically necessary autism therapies, including behavioral health treatments. The bill passed the New Hampshire House today by a vote of 213-147 and now heads to the State Senate for concurrence.

Connor’s Law acts as an amendment to existing mental health parity law in the state clarifying the inclusion of treatments for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Under Connor’s Law, insurance companies would be required to provide coverage of treatment for ASD, including behavioral health treatments, such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy. Connor’s Law was sponsored in the House by Representative Suzanne Butcher (D-Cheshire, District 3). Representative Susi Nord (D-Rockingham, District 1) also worked tirelessly to move the bill out of committee.

“Passage of Connor’s Law by the New Hampshire House today is another significant victory in the national effort to secure insurance coverage of behavioral health treatments in all fifty states and provide families affected by autism with the help they so desperately need and deserve,” said Peter Bell, Executive Vice President for Programs & Services for Autism Speaks. “We thank the New Hampshire autism community, as well as Representative Butcher, Representative Nord, and their colleagues in the House for having the courage to put New Hampshire’s families and their needs first.”... Read more

Summary of HB 569 (Connor's Law):

Sponsored by Representative Suzanne Butcher

• Amends current mental health parity law to require health insurance companies to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders
  
  
• HB 569 is not a new mandate.  HB 569 clarifies what “treatment” means in NH’s existing mental health parity law as it is applied to autism spectrum disorders (ASD)
  
  
• In order to receive coverage, treatment must be prescribed, provided, or ordered for an individual diagnosed with a pervasive developmental disorder by a licensed physician or a licensed psychologist who determines the care to be medically necessary
  
  
• Covered treatments include:
  • Habilitative or rehabilitative care,
  • Pharmacy care,
  • Psychiatric care,
  • Psychological care,
  • Therapeutic care
    
    
• HB 569 does not replace existing services.  While special education programs may use some of the same types of therapies to help a child learn, this is not done at the same level of intensity or with the same goals as a treatment program. HB 569 states clearly that it should not be interpreted as reducing the obligation that schools have to deliver a free and appropriate education