Virginia

Virginia Autism News:

January 30 Update

Bill Protecting ABA Coverage Under New Law Approved Unanimously by Senate, Sent to Governor

RICHMOND, VA -- The Virginia Senate today approved HB-1106 by unanimous vote and sent the measure to Governor Robert McDonnell's desk for final consideration.

The bill would correct a flaw in Virginia's new autism insurance law by assuring that providers of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) are covered. The bill would establish a state licensing procedure for ABA providers.

CBS-7: 'Autism groups return to the State Capitol for legislative fix' 

RICHMOND, VA (Jan. 13, 2012) -- "Last year’s General Assembly session brought a hard-fought victory for Virginia families affected by autism. Lawmakers approved legislation mandating insurance coverage for children under the age of six, but in the months since, their celebration has turned to frustration, and they’re back in Richmond asking for help." See the coverage.

CBS-7: 'Local autism advocates pledge to continue fighting for insurance coverage for treatment'

Dec. 8, 2011 -- WDBJ, the CBS affiliate for Roanoke, aired a report on the continuing controversy surrounding implementation of the state's autism insurance reform law. Learn more here.

Roanoke Times: 'A setback in insurance for autism treatment'

Dec. 7, 2011 -- The Roanoke Times in an editorial published today said Gov. Bob McDonnell has a "moral obligation" to resolve an impasse delaying implementation of the state's new autism insurance reform law. "The most recent setback is particularly cruel because it creates the prospect that the entire debate over the insurance mandate could be reopened, leaving the families' hard-fought gains vulnerable to mischief from insurance lobbyists," the editorial said. Read more here.

'Families disappointed by delay in autism insurance'
Richmond Times-Dispatch

Dec. 4, 2011 -- "Parents expressed disappointment and confusion Saturday over the likely delay in implementation of at least part of a new state law designed to mandate insurance coverage for children with autism." Read more.

'Autism insurance help faces delay in Va.' Richmond Times-Dispatch

Dec. 3, 2011 -- "Hundreds of families across Virginia who had counted on mandated insurance coverage for their autistic children next month may have to wait untold months more for help." Read more.

Virginia Becomes the 26th State To Enact Autism Insurance Reform Legislation

Autism Speaks Joins with the Virginia Autism Community in Celebrating the Passage of House Bill 2467 and Senate Bill 1062 into Law

NEW YORK, NY (May 6, 2011) – Autism Speaks joins the Virginia Autism Project and Virginia families in applauding Governor Bob McDonnell for signing House Bill 2467 and Senate Bill 1062 into law today.This legislation requires state-regulated health plans to provide coverage of autism diagnosis and treatment for children between the ages of two to six. Stakeholders and Virginia legislators have been working to pass autism insurance reform legislation in the Commonwealth for more than a decade.

HB 2467 was sponsored in the House by Delegates Tag Greason (District 32) and Tim Hugo (District 40). SB 1062 was sponsored in the Senate by State Senator Janet Howell (District 32).

"HB 2467 and SB 1062 are the culmination of over 11 years of legislative work, and countless hours of effort put forth by the parents and advocates in support of Autism, “ said Delegate Tag Greason. “This legislation delicately balances the needs of our families with the struggles that employers throughout the Commonwealth are faced with. It is the right thing to do and I am proud to be a small part of the process."

Senator Janet Howell, who has a grand-nephew diagnosed with autism, stated “Finally, finally, after a decade of effort by advocates, insurance companies will be required to provide applied behavioral analysis treatment for young children with autism. It has been an incredible struggle to achieve this victory. I am so proud of the many families and Autism Speaks for their persistence and dedication in getting help for young children. I am honored to have played a part in the struggle.”

“Thanks to the efforts of Autism Speaks and the many families across our state, we are on the verge of providing many autistic children with services that they have long needed. With this bill, we begin to lift the darkness that is autism." said Delegate Tim Hugo.

The passage of Virginia’s legislation is a milestone, as over half of the states have now enacted legislation to address autism insurance discrimination, requiring private health insurance to cover essential autism treatments and services, including applied behavior analysis. In the absence of coverage, families often 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.

“Autism Speaks applauds Governor McDonnell for listening to Virginia’s families and signing SB 1062 and HB 2467 into law. This legislation will extend a helping hand to families that have been financially devastated by the lack of insurance coverage for necessary autism therapies,” said Peter Bell, Autism Speaks executive vice president of programs and services. “In addition, we are grateful for the remarkable commitment and leadership of Senator Howell, Senate Majority Leader Saslaw, Delegate Greason, Delegate Hugo, and Speaker Howell on this issue."

"We are grateful to our patrons in the House and Senate for leading us down the path to passage by the legislature and we thank Governor McDonnell for signing the bill into law” said Virginia Advocacy Chair Teresa Champion.

In addition to Virginia, twenty-five states – Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin – have enacted autism insurance reform legislation. Several other state legislatures are considering similar legislation during the 2011 session.

Autism Speaks Applauds the Virginia General Assembly for Returning Revised Autism Insurance Reform Legislation to Governor McDonnell for Signature

Watch Robbie Maino, a young man with autism, testify before the Senate Committee (January 31, 2011):

New Video: Autism Speaks Joins Families and Advocates at Virginia General Assembly to Speak With Legislators About Need to Pass Autism Insurance Reform in 2011 (January 14, 2011)

Autism Speaks Applauds Senate Members for Passing Autism Insurance Reform Legislation (February 9, 2011)

Autism Speaks Joins the Virginia Autism Community In Applauding House Members For Passing Autism Insurance Reform Legislation (February 2, 2011)

Autism Speaks Joins the Virginia Autism Community In Applauding State Senate Members For Passing Autism Insurance Legislation (February 16, 2010)

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

Virginia Families Rally At State Capitol to Call for an End to Healthcare Discrimination Against Children with Autism (January 15, 2009)

The Virginia MBC Has Voted! (November 19, 2008)

CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta Reports on the Virginia Autism Insurance Bill (October 22, 2008)

Autism Insurance Bill Introduced in Virginia (October 2, 2008)

Parents, Advocates, and Legislators Hit the Ground Running for Virginia Autism Insurance Reform Bill (September 30, 2008)

Summary of 2011 Virginia Autism Insurance Reform Bills:

Senate Bill 1062 - Sponsored by Senators Janet D. Howell (District 32)

House Bill 2467 - Sponsored by Delegate Tag Greason (District 32) and Delegate Tim Hugo (District 40)

• Would require applicable health insurance companies to provide coverage of the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders for individuals between the ages of 2 and 6 (the bill does not preclude the extension of coverage for individuals age 7 and up)
  
  
• 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
  
  
• Health insurance companies would be required to provide coverage of the following:
  • Diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder - meaning medically necessary assessments, evaluations, including neuropsychological evaluations, genetic testing, or other testing to determine whether an individual has one or more autism spectrum disorders
  • Behavioral health treatments- meaning professional, counseling, and guidance services and treatment programs, including applied behavior analysis (ABA), when provided or supervised by a board certified behavior analyst, that are necessary to develop, maintain, or restore, to the maximum extent practicable, the functioning of an individual
  • Pharmacy care
  • Psychiatric care
  • Psychological care
  • Therapeutic care - meaning services provided by licensed or certified speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, or clinical social workers
    
    
• Coverage for applied behavior analysis (ABA) is subject to an annual maximum of $35,000
  
   
• 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 bills apply only to state regulated private insurance plans and the state employee health plan. They do not apply to self-funded insurance plans as these plans are regulated by the federal government under ERISA law