JEFFERSON CITY— Missouri lawmakers sent legislation to the governor today for signing into law that will require health insurers to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism.
House Bill 1311 received final approval from the Senate and House after members agreed to pass a version of the bill that had been worked out in conference committee.
The measure requires health carriers that issue or renew health benefit plans on or after Jan. 1, 2011, to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. Likewise, the bill prohibits health carriers from refusing to cover an individual or dependent solely because the individual is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.
House Bill 1311 would, however, establish coverage restrictions for autism, limiting coverage to medically necessary treatment that is ordered by the individual’s treating licensed physician or licensed psychologist, in accordance with a treatment plan. Coverage for applied behavior analysis, a common treatment method for autism, is capped at $40,000 annually through age 18.
In addition, a state Behavior Analyst Advisory Board is established under the State Committee of Psychologists within the Division of Professional Registration. The new board is charged with establishing and overseeing licensure and registration requirements for behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts who provide therapies for children with autism spectrum disorders.
And finally, the bill requires the Missouri Department of Insurance to grant a waiver from the autism insurance standard to small business employers that have group health plans if compliance raises premium costs by a certain percentage. Employers must demonstrate (over any consecutive 12-month period) that compliance with the coverage has increased the premium costs of their health insurance policy by at least 2.5 percent over the course of a calendar year.
The Second Regular Session of the 95th Missouri General Assembly runs through May 14, 2010. For more information about the Missouri Senate, visit www.senate.mo.gov . To contact the Senate Newsroom, call (573) 751-3824 or e-mail newsroom@senate.mo.gov .
-END- |
