Maryland

Maryland Autism News:

Delegate Reznik Reintroduces the 2010 Maryland Autism Insurance Reform Bill, HB 1091

(February 19, 2010) -- Maryland State Delegate Kirill Reznik (D-39) has reintroduced legislation to require insurance companies to provide coverage for evidence-based, medically necessary autism therapies.  The bill, House Bill 1091, specifically requires coverage of behavioral health treatments, such as applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy. 

This is the second year that Delegate Reznik has introduced this legislation.  Autism Speaks is hopeful that the bill will pass and that Maryland can join the ranks of the current fifteen states that have enacted autism insurance reform. 

Autism Insurance Coverage Bill Introduced in Maryland House and Senate (January 29, 2009)

Summary of House Bill 1091:

Sponsored by Delegate Kirill Reznik (District 39)

• Would require health insurance companies to provide coverage of the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders 
  
  
• 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
  
  
• 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 applied behavior analysis (ABA) and other behavioral health treatments, that are necessary to develop, maintain, and restore to the maximum possible extent an individuals functioning
  • Speech generating devices - meaning speech aids that treat severe speech or language impairments by providing individuals with the ability to meet daily communication needs
    
    
• The bill allows businesses to opt out of providing this coverage if premiums increase more than 2%
  
  
• 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, 2011