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Iowa
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Iowa Autism News:
Help Iowa Expand the Autism Insurance Reform Law!
Autism insurance reform legislation is moving forward in the Iowa Senate!
As you probably already know, autism insurance legislation was passed in 2010 that required the state employee health plan to cover autism treatment. This was a critical step forward, but there is still work to do. The families of Iowa who are dealing with the challenges of autism need health insurance to cover treatment for their loved ones with ASD.
Contact YOUR Iowa State Senator today. You can personalize an e-mail to them right here. Let them know that this is an issue that means a great deal to your family.
Watch New Law: Iowa Expands Coverage for Children with Autism - NBC (WHO TV), January 2, 2011
Iowa Becomes the 19th State to Enact Autism Insurance Reform (April 30, 2010)
Autism Speaks Joins the Iowa Autism Community In Applauding State Senate Members For Passing Autism Insurance Reform Legislation (February 23, 2010)
Autism Speaks Endorses Iowa Autism Insurance Reform Bill (February 19, 2009)
Summary of the Autism Insurance Reform law:
- Requires the state employees health plan to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders for state employees and their families
- Coverage will be provided to individuals under the age of 21
- Coverage under this law is subject to an inflation-adjusted maximum benefit of $36,000 annually
- Coverage of treatments will be provided when prescribed, provided, or ordered for an individual diagnosed with autism by a licensed physician, a licensed psychologist, a licensed social worker, or a licensed registered nurse practitioner who determines the care to be medically necessary
- The law includes coverage of the following treatments: Diagnosis, Habilitative or rehabilitative care, Pharmacy care, Psychiatric care, Psychological care, Therapeutic care, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
- The law calls for the commissioner, in consultation with the board of medicine, to adopt rules providing for the certification of behavior specialists
- The law applies only to state employee health care plans
- The law went into effect on January 1, 2011
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Bill History:
January 1, 2011: Autism insurance reform law goes into effect!
April 29, 2010: Governor Chet Culver enacts Standing Appropriations Bill, HF 2531, containing an amendment creating autism insurance coverage for state employees!
March 30, 2010: House passes Standing Appropriations Bill, HF 2531, containing an amendment creating autism insurance coverage for state employees. The bill heads to the Governor.
March 4, 2010: House Commerce Committee passes SF 2349 in vote of 16 to 6. The bill now heads to the full House for a vote.
February 23, 2010: SF 2349 passed by full Senate in a vote of 42-8! The bill moves on to the House for review.
February 15, 2010: SF 2349 passed by full Senate Commerce Committee. The bill heads to the Senate floor.
February 10, 2010: SF 1 is amended and passed by Senate Commerce Subcommittee. The bill number was changed to SF 2349.
May 1, 2009: 2009 legislative session ends without passage of HF 1 /SF 1.
January 12, 2009: Autism insurance reform bill, House File 1, introduced in the Iowa House by Representative Ray S. Zirkelbach. The bill is referred to the House Human Resources Committee.
January 12, 2009: Autism Insurance reform bill, Senate File 1, introduced in the Iowa Senate by Senator Daryl Beall. The bill is referred to the Senate Commerce Committee.
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