Virginia

Virginia Autism News:

Attend an October Autism Summit in your area!

In partnership with Autism Speaks, the Virginia Autism Project (VAP) will sponsor three Autism Summits in October to discuss the need for improving autism services in Virginia, including a autism insurance reform:

Northern Virginia Autism Summit
Monday, October 5 (6:30-8:30pm)
Hilton Alexandria Mark Center
5000 Seminary Road, Alexandria, Virginia
RSVP: www.vapnova.org

Tidewater Autism Summit
Saturday, October 10 (noon-4pm)
Double Tree Virginia Beach Convention Center
1900 Pavilion Drive, Virginia Beach, Virginia
RSVP: tidewaterasa@verizon.net or call 757-461-4474

Loudoun Autism Summit
Monday, October 19 (6:30-9pm)
National Conference Center
18980 Upper Belmont Pl, Leesburg (Lansdowne), Virginia
RSVP: vap.president@gmail.com

VIDEO: CBS Reports on Autism Insurance Reform in Virginia

(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