Maryland Autism News:
April 27 Update
Autism Speaks’ Statement on Maryland Autism Task Force
NEW YORK – A technical advisory group proposed under a bill voted out of the Maryland legislature could prove helpful in eventually providing families access to behavioral health treatments, but may not pre-empt the need for legislation requiring that insurers cover the benefit.
The legislation (HB1055/SB744), which is before Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, would create a technical advisory group to clarify how an habilitative care requirement for autism under existing state law should cover behavioral health treatment, such as Applied Behavior Analysis.
“Because of the confusion, Maryland families have been unable to access treatments for their loved ones with autism,” said Judith Ursitti, Autism Speaks’ director of state government affairs.”This process is meant to remedy that situation.
“While this step is laudable, it may not supplant the need for true autism insurance reform legislation requiring insurers to cover behavioral health treatment,” she continued. “Autism Speaks will continue to work with Maryland lawmakers for true autism insurance reform. Should the technical advisory group be created, we will also work to assure that effective members are appointed and that its work is completed expeditiously.”
'Some progress, finally, in Annapolis': Pathfinders for Autism
HUNT VALLEY -- The Maryland advocacy organization, Pathfinders for Autism, weighed in on the legislature's efforts to address autism insurance reform: "While the Maryland legislature has indeed fallen behind the thirty other states that have passed meaningful autism insurance reform, it is important to note that after years of effort, some progress was finally made this session in Annapolis."
Read more here.
'Maryland again fails autism community': Baltimore Sun OpEd
BALTIMORE (April 20, 2012) -- The Baltimore Sun today published an OpED by Ian Paregol, exeutive director of Community Services for Autistic Adults and Children, critical of the Maryland Legislature's efforts to improve autism insurance coverage.
"This week, Michigan became the 30th state to require insurance coverage for autism therapies. Meanwhile, here in Maryland, the General Assembly has for the fourth consecutive year failed families of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders — one of our most significant national health emergencies." Read more here.
Autism Speaks Joins The Maryland Autism Community In Calling For The Legislature To Pass The Autism Insurance Reform Bills
Committee Hearings Held Today on Both Senate Bill 759 and House Bill 783
NEW YORK, NY (March 9, 2011) – Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest autism advocacy organization, joined today with the Maryland autism community at the state capitol to support Senate Bill 759/House Bill 783, the autism insurance reform bill, also known as the “Coverage of Autism Spectrum Disorders” bill. The legislation, which would require private health insurance companies to cover the diagnosis, testing, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), was heard today in committee hearings in both the House and Senate.
Sponsored in the Maryland Senate by Senator Katherine Klausmeier (District 8) and in the House by Delegate Kirill Reznik (District 39), SB 759/HB 783 includes coverage of behavioral health treatments, such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), an evidence-based, medically-necessary autism therapy. The Senate bill was referred to the Senate Finance Committee, while the House bill was referred to the House Health Government Operations Committee. Both committees held hearings on the bills today.
Autism Speaks Endorses Maryland Autism Insurance Reform Bills (February 14, 2011)
Autism Insurance Coverage Bill Introduced in Maryland House and Senate (January 29, 2009)
Summary of the 2011 Maryland Autism Insurance Reform Bills:
Senate Bill 759 - Sponsored by Senator Katherine Klausmeier (District 8)
House Bill 783 - Sponsored by Delegate Kirill Reznik (District 39)
- Would require private health insurance companies to provide coverage of the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders
- Under this bill, health insurance companies would be required to provide coverage of the following:
- Diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder - meaning medically necessary assessments, evaluations, or tests to diagnose whether an individual has an autism spectrum disorder
- Habilitative or rehabilitative care - meaning professional counseling, guidance, services, and treatment programs and devices, including behavioral health treatments such as applied behavior analysis (ABA), that are necessary to develop, maintain, and restore to the maximum possible extent an individual's functioning
- Evidence-based, medically necessary treatment of autism spectrum disorders as prescribed, provided by, ordered by, or provided by a person under the supervision of a licensed physician, a licensed psychologist, a licensed speech-language pathologist, a board certified behavior analyst credentialed by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board
- The bill 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
- The bill applies only to state regulated insurance plans. It does not apply to self-funded insurance plans as these plans are regulated by the federal government under ERISA law
- If enacted, this bill would take effect on January 1, 2012
|
