Utah Autism News:
May 10 Update
The Salt Lake Tribune: 'Utah autism treatment pilot struggles for funding'
The following article by Julia Lyon was published today in The Salt Lake Tribune:
Despite assurances during the Legislative session that major insurance companies and a bank would donate $1 million toward a new autism treatment pilot, the state has not yet received any money.
That could halve one part of the program, set to begin this summer, at a time when a study of a small area in Utah indicated the state could have the highest autism rate in the nation.
“As of right now there is no money,” said Marc Babitz, director of the Division of Family Health and Preparedness at the Utah Department of Health. “I am not aware of one private donation.”
But Rep. Ronda Menlove, R-Garland, who sponsored the bill to create the pilot, says there is “no question” that money is on its way.
“We’ve been working with the entities this past week working out the details,” she said.
Expected donor Zions Bank did not immediately comment. Intermountain Healthcare says it plans to provide financial support although the details are still being finalized.
The two-year pilot program is expected to pay for therapy for about 350 children between the ages of 2 and 6, through a combination of Medicaid, state and private dollars.
Three groups of children will be served, including up to 50 covered by the Public Employees’ Benefit and Insurance Program; at least 200 kids covered by Medicaid, supported by $4.5 million in Medicaid dollars; and up to 100 from the autism fund, paid in part with private dollars. Those children may be on private insurance or be uninsured.
Babitz said he remained hopeful the private money would still materialize; $1 million in state dollars will become available in July.
“I know how people have to budget their funds,” he said. “If someone is going to donate $100,000 or a million it’s not just sitting around in a bank account.”
Whether the private dollars appear or not, the pilot program will only be able to serve a small fraction of the number of Utah children with autism, which some estimate to be as high as 5,000. Children served by the autism fund will be selected in a randomized process, not necessarily based on the severity of their diagnosis.
The earliest the treatment program will start is August, due to the bureaucratic steps that remain, such as a public comment period.
“We know the tremendous need,” Babitz said. “It’s better to take one step forward than do nothing.”
But for one advocate of families with autistic children, the fact that the dollars have yet to show up is not a surprise.
“I’m not shocked,” said Mirella Petersen, president of the Utah Autism Coalition. “Because historically in every single state [insurers] have not done that until they have been required to do something.”
From New Jersey to New Mexico, a growing number of states are requiring health insurance to cover treatment for autism, the cost of which can run in the tens of thousands per year.
“The fund itself is an ineffective medium,” she said, explaining that families would like to be able to access treatment directly. “Even more money wouldn’t help that much if we don’t expand the age range to cover the bulk of the children that need help.”
Autism Speaks Statement on Utah Legislation
February 16, 2012 -- The following statement was distributed to the Utah autism community by Autism Speaks:
THANK YOU so much for all of your hard work over the last year to pass autism insurance reform.
The current status of the Utah Autism Insurance Reform legislation endorsed by Autism Speaks, HB 69, is that the bill is being held in the House Rules Committee. We have been informed that HB 69 will not be released from this committee for the duration of the session.
As such, there are no further plans to generate calls, emails or Capitol visits in support of HB 69.
There has been an alternate solution drafted by Representative Menlove - also known as HB 272. Autism Speaks has not taken a position on this bill. If you have opinions about this bill please share those with your legislators.
Thank you again for all of your efforts this year!
Autism Speaks Endorses Utah Autism Insurance Reform Bill
HB 69 Would End Health Care Discrimination Against Children with Autism by Requiring Coverage of Treatment
NEW YORK, NY (January 19, 2012) – Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organization, today announced its support for HB-69 which would require private insurance companies in Utah to cover the diagnosis and treatment of autism.
Families paying thousands of dollars a year in insurance premiums would gain coverage for the screening, diagnosis, testing and treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Sponsored by State Representative Ronda Rudd Menlove (R-Garland), HB-69 includes coverage of behavioral health treatments, such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), an evidence-based autism therapy.
“We applaud and thank Representative Menlove for her leadership on this issue of critical concern to thousands of Utah families,” said Lorri Unumb, Autism Speaks vice president for state government affairs. “Autism Speaks joins Utah’s autism community in calling on the legislature to pass HB-69 and join the growing majority of states that have ended healthcare discrimination against children with autism.”
Many 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.
“Utah parents raising children with autism are thrilled that our legislature is taking on this issue,” said Mirella Petersen, of Layton, president of the Utah Autism Coalition. “It’s time for Utah to join the 29 other states, including Colorado, Nevada and Arizona, that have enacted autism insurance reform laws that allow access to evidence-based treatment that enhances the lives of families affected by autism."
Summary of 2012 Utah Autism Insurance Reform Bill:
House Bill 69 - Sponsored by State Representatives Ronda Rudd Menlove (R-Garland)
The bill would:
- require providers of accident or health insurance policies to include coverage for the treatment of individuals with autism spectrum disorders
- establish a $50,000 minimum annual benefit for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy
- require coverage to include:
- ABA
- pharmaceuticals
- psychiatric treatment
- psychological treatment
- occupational therapy
- speech therapy
- medical treatment
- The bill would apply to all accident and health insurance policies issued or renewed starting January 1, 2013
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