Insurance Coverage for Autism in IL and OK
In Illinois, Gov. Rod Blagojevich is expected to sign a bill requiring insurance companies to cover autism diagnosis and treatment up to $36,000 a year until a patient turns 21, today’s Chicago Tribune reports. Sen. Dale Righter (R-Charleston) is arguing that “the measure would cause the number of people diagnosed with autism to grow, therefore increasing premiums for other policy holders”—-an assumption that people are going to get children diagnosed with autism specifically so they can qualify for treatment?
In Oklahoma, a bill to provide insurance coverage for autism diagnosis and treatment has also been introduced in the state Senate, KTEN notes. The bill is called “Nick’s Law“—Nick is 11 years old and has autism—last year, the measure did not get past a House committe.
Tags: asd, asperger, autism, autism blog, chicago, Diagnosis, disabilities blog, disability, Education, illinois, Insurance, Legislation, nick's law, oklahoma
5 opinions for Insurance Coverage for Autism in IL and OK
Kristina Chew, PhD
Nov 21, 2008 at 2:50 pm
At IACC: just heard Cathy Pratt (from Indiana) says that if we think that funding insurance bills is going to be enough, it’s not—–she cited figure of 90% of autistic individuals not being employed. What are we doing if we put so much emphasis on early intervention and treatment and education that prepare kids for jobs that don’t, won’t, exist?
JoyMama
Nov 21, 2008 at 2:57 pm
State by state!
Prospects are good for autism insurance coverage in Wisconsin too, now that the party that blocked the bill in the WI Assembly last year no longer has the majority. The day after the election, Gov. Doyle enumerated autism insurance among the things he wants to see enacted promptly this next session.
Another Voice
Nov 21, 2008 at 8:26 pm
This is a step in the right direction and it also applies to public aid. In one sense the state is making much of this; on the other hand in order to offset a 2 billion dollar budget short fall, state services are being cut.
I am not convinced that insurance is the best (or even a fair) answer. There will be so many families that are not covered by one of the insurance plans required to have this coverage.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Nov 21, 2008 at 11:04 pm
The Illinois law just passed—–
Marla
Nov 22, 2008 at 10:17 pm
And if you do have insurance coverage many communities don’t have help anyway.
It is interesting that I hear so many people talk of people just “getting” a diagnosis of Autism to get treatment. It took years for us to get that diagnosis for M. There was nothing quick or easy about it and it did not help us in our area get any better help in the schools or community.
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: