Virginia

Virginia Autism News:

VIDEO: CBS Reports on Autism Insurance Reform in Virgina

(June 21, 2009) -- Treating Autism

State Senate Fails to Pass SB 1260

(February 12, 2009) -- Tuesday night the Virginia Senate debated Senate Bill 1260 and eventually sent the bill back to the Senate Finance Committee, which does not meet again this session.

Featured Virginia Headlines:

Families Affected by Autism Call on Senate Committee to Advance Bill Ending Healthcare Discrimination Against Children With Autism (February 9, 2009)

Summary of Virginia Legislation:

House Bill 1588 - Sponsored by Delegate Robert Marshall (R-13) and Delegate David Poisson (D-32)

Senate Bill 1260 - Sponsored by Senator Jill Holtzman Vogel (R-27)

• Requires private health insurance companies to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of  autism spectrum disorder
  
  
• Coverage will be provided to individuals under the age of 21
  
  
• Coverage under this bill 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 or a licensed psychologist who determines the care to be medically necessary
  
  
• The bill includes coverage of the following treatments:
  • Diagnosis
  • Habilitative or rehabilitative care
  • Pharmacy care
  • Psychiatric care
  • Psychological care
  • Therapeutic care
  • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
    
    
• The bill applies only to fully-funded health plans governed by state   
  
  
• The bill has been referred to the VA House Committee on Commerce and Labor