New York Autism News:
EBN: 'New York autism mandate follows national trend'
NOVEMBER 7, 2011 -- Employee Benefit News today published an article on New York's new autism insurance reform law that extensively quotes Lorri Unumb, Autism Speaks' vice president for state government affairs.
Wrights Respond to Wall Street Journal Editorial Attacking Governor Cuomo
NEW YORK (November 6, 2011) -- The Wall Street Journal today published a letter from Autism Speaks Co-founders Suzanne and Bob Wright supporting Governor Andrew Cuomo's signing of A.8512, the autism insurance reform bill.
Autism Speaks Hails Governor Cuomo for Signing One of Nation’s Strongest Autism Insurance Reform Bills into Law
Governor, Legislature Applauded for Fighting for Families, Saving Taxpayers $13 Million
NEW YORK, NY (November 1, 2011) – Autism Speaks joined New York families today in applauding Governor Andrew Cuomo for signing into law one of the most comprehensive autism insurance reform measures in the nation, Assembly Bill 8512. This new law requires insurance companies to provide coverage of critical autism therapies for both children and adults, and makes New York the 29th state to enact autism insurance reform.
“We thank Governor Cuomo for taking on the fight for families struggling with autism,” said Bob Wright, co-founder of Autism Speaks. "New York has now stood up to the plate as a leader, not only for its families dealing with autism, but for taxpayers throughout the state.”
Suzanne and Bob Wright, who founded Autism Speaks in 2005, were guests of Governor Cuomo at today’s bill-signing ceremony at the Governor’s Office. The Wrights (below right) look on as Governor Cuomo hands his pen to 10-year-old Alexander Smith of Clifton Park.
Sponsored in the New York Assembly by Assemblymember Joseph Morelle (D-Monroe) and in the Senate by Sen. Charles Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Nassau,) the new law will provide coverage of evidence-based, medically necessary autism therapies, such as applied behavior analysis (ABA.) The new law, which constitutes a compromise agreement hammered out between the Governor and the Legislature, will take effect in 12 months – on November 1, 2012 – and allow up to $45,000 a year in ABA treatments with no limits on age or number of visits. For details of the new law, click here.
A fiscal analysis conducted for Autism Speaks found the new law would save New York taxpayers $13 million over six years by reducing Medicaid, early intervention, special education and other costs. The savings result from insurance-funded treatments provided to children with autism at an early age, helping them to overcome developmental disabilities and require fewer public-funded services as they grow older.
New York has been among the shrinking number of states that do not require private insurance companies to cover even essential autism treatments and services. As a result, families paying thousands of dollars a year in health insurance premiums receive no benefits in return for autism-related expenses, forcing them to 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.
“This law is a win-win for families struggling with autism and for New York’s taxpayers,” said Peter Bell, Autism Speaks executive vice president of programs and services. “This enactment allows New York to join the growing number of states that have recognized the unfair and unreasonable burden being imposed on individuals diagnosed with autism and their families, while rejecting the inflated cost claims presented by the insurance industry.”
Assemblymember Morelle said, "With this agreement, we achieve a genuine milestone for those affected by autism while at the same time recognizing the need to control new costs created by insurance mandates. For far too long, families with a child on the autism spectrum have faced financial and emotional uncertainty because proven treatments and therapies were not covered under their policies. Today, some of that uncertainty has been removed. I am deeply grateful to the governor and to my colleagues in the legislature for their partnership in this effort."
Senator Fuschillo said, "This law will be a giant step forward towards helping families with autism get the care they need. No longer will these families be forced to spend tens of thousands of dollars each year paying for autism treatments and therapies which their insurance companies refuse to cover. Finally, they will have exactly what they deserve; access to treatment coverage just like any other condition and protection from being denied services solely because of an autism diagnosis. I am pleased that we were able to work together to make this a reality."
Today’s bill-signing makes New York the 6th state in 2011 and the 29th overall to institute autism insurance reform. Earlier this month, Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation making California the 28th state to enact reform and, in Michigan, insurance reform bills are making their way through the legislature with the support of Gov. Rick Snyder.
Autism Speaks Hails Gov. Cuomo, N.Y. Legislature for Reaching Agreement on Landmark Autism Insurance Reform Bill
Legislation will Impact Families Nationwide, Save State Taxpayers $13 Million
NEW YORK, N.Y. (June 23, 2011) – Autism Speaks applauded Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York Legislature for reaching final agreement on a bill that will require insurance companies to provide coverage of critical autism therapies for both children and adults. An amended bill (A.8512) reflecting the agreement was voted out of the Legislature today and will be sent to Governor Cuomo for his signature. Read more...
Summary of 2011 Autism Insurance Reform Bill in New York:
S.5845 - Sponsored by Senator Charles J. Fuschillo (R-Nassau)
A.8512 - Sponsored by Assemblyman Joseph D. Morelle (D-Monroe)
The bill would:
- Require private health insurance companies to provide coverage for the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of autism spectrum disorders including:
- behavioral health treatment (such as applied behavior analysis)
- pharmacy care (if the policy covers other prescription drugs)
- psychiatric care
- psychological care
- therapeutic care, including non-restorative therapy (if the policy covers therapeutic care for other conditions)
- any other medical care provided by a licensed health care provider
- Impose no age caps, and impose no visit caps that apply solely to ASD
- Provide coverage for applied behavior analysis to $45,000 a year; that limit will increase annually based on increases in the medical consumer price index
- Allow deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance, care management, utilization review, external appeals, and use of provider networks only in the same manner as a policy applies to coverage of other conditions
- 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 purpose of this bill is to require insurance coverage for services provided outside of an educational setting for services prescribed by a physician or psychologist
- Prohibit an insurance company from terminating coverage or refusing to renew, adjust, amend, issue, or execute a policy solely because the individual has been diagnosed or received treatment for autism spectrum disorders
- Take effect one year after signed into law
- Apply only to state-regulated insurance plans; it does not apply to self-funded insurance plans which are regulated by the federal government under ERISA law
Autism Speaks Applauds New York State Legislature for Unanimous Approval of Autism Insurance Reform Bills
NEW YORK, N.Y. (June 17, 2011) -- Autism Speaks joined New York families today in applauding the members of the New York Legislature for their unanimous passage of a bill which requires insurance companies to provide coverage of critical autism therapies, such as applied behavior analysis (ABA). The legislation now heads to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s desk to be enacted into law. Read more...
Autism Speaks Applauds Introduction of Legislation to End Insurance Company Discrimination Against New Yorkers with Autism (March 15, 2011)
Autism Speaks Denounces Veto of Landmark New York Autism Insurance Bill (October 21, 2010)
Autism Speaks Launched a New Radio Ad Campaign Urging Governor Paterson to Sign S.7000B into Law Immediately (October 13, 2010)
State Assembly Joins Senate In Unanimously Passing Landmark Bill Prohibiting Insurance Discrimination Against New York Individuals With Autism (June 21, 2010)
It's Time for New York to Pass Autism Insurance Reform (June 19, 2010)
Autism Speaks Applauds Passage of New York State Senate Bill That Would End Insurance Discrimination Against Children With Autism (June 9, 2010)
Autism Speaks Endorses New York State Assembly Legislation That Would End Insurance Discrimination Against Individuals With Autism (March 22, 2010)
Autism Speaks Endorses New York State Legislation That Would End Insurance Discrimination Against Children With Autism (March 8, 2010)
Autism Speaks Joins New York Autism Community In Calling For An End To Autism Insurance Discrimination In The Empire State (October 23, 2009)
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin Attends 2009 Autism Speaks Walk Now for Autism in Westchester (June 7, 2009)
Autism Speaks Endorses New York Autism Insurance Reform Bills (March 4, 2009)
New York State Commission on Property Tax Relief Report to Governor Recommends Severe Cuts to Special Education (December 11, 2008)
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