Legislation To Mandate Autism Coverage
CENTRAL OHIO—One in 150 individuals is diagnosed with autism.
Early intervention is critical to gain maximum benefits from existing therapies.
Unfortunately, many insurance companies refuse to pay for such treatments. A proposed law could change that, though.
NBC 4’s Marcus Thorpe GOT ANSWERS on what this bill means to you.
The cost for autism treatment can range from $2,000 to more than $20,000 a year without insurance coverage.
State representatives Ted Celeste and Nancy Garland introduced a bill Friday that would mandate coverage to diagnose and treat autism spectrum disorders or ASDs.
For Ron and Jayne Kincaid, it was a day filled with hope it—a day they hoped marks the final chapter in getting their son Brian medical insurance.
“I pay insurance premiums,“ Ron said. “My insurance company sent a letter and said we’ll cover you, your wife and son Matt, but specifically exclude Brian because he has autism.“
The Kincaids and other Central Ohio families affected by autism gathered at Nationwide Children’s Hospital as Celeste and Garland introduced House Bill 8.
HB 8 is a measure designed to force Ohio insurance companies to provide coverage for individuals with ASDs.
“The bill is really aimed to make sure that insurance coverage will have parity for autism like other physical disorders, and it spells out areas of treatment that will not be excluded,“ Celeste said.
The Kincaid family has spent thousands getting the necessary treatments for Brian
Brian’s treatments come from various agencies, some private, but most paid for by the state of Ohio.
If the legislation were to pass, the family said the fear of the unknown finally will pass.
The legislation would not apply to self-insured companies.
NBC 4 contacted the Ohio Department of Insurance for a comment on HB 8.
A spokesperson said the department has not had time to fully review the legislation.
NBC 4 also contacted the Kincaids’ insurance company, United Healthcare of Ohio. The call wasn’t returned.
For additional information, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com—Where Accuracy Matters.
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Reader Reactions
My son has autism and we searched for 6 long years for a diagnosis. In addition, our bright, intelligent, and engaging child was not identified by a walk to a doctor’s office because he was “stupid.“ Maybe people who are “stupid” about autism ought to do their research before responding. In fact, many autistic persons have extremely high IQs. I am personally thrilled that Celeste and Garland are introducing this bill and it looks like it has bipartisan support. That is wonderful. After having three different insurance situations with three different companies during my child’s lifetime, I can truly say that navigating the insurance system with the diagnosis of autism is time-consuming, frustrating, and draining. It is not fair to pay a premium for insurance only to have it denied because of a specific diagnosis. In addition, services are expensive and even with insurance, some families cannot afford the copays. Our copays for coverage for various therapies are several hundred dollars per month, even when the insurance company does cover the treatment. Please be sensitive to the feelings of parents who are trying their best to support the children they love. Please never call an autistic child stupid for any reason. It is simply not ever the case. In addition, please be sensitive to the parents like me who have fought their insurance companies and their school districts for coverage of services that should be rightfully provided for a special needs child who deserves to grow and develop as typical children do. No one would deny a child with strep throat or the flu. And no one would call that child “stupid”.
In case I missed something, this article is talking about requiring insurance companies to provide coverage to all family members listed on one’s policy, for which said individuals are paying premiums monthly for coverage. It is talking about covering the whole process of proper diagnosis and then appropriate treatment in order that that individual has a chance of living as normal a life as possible. We all deserve the chance to live as healthily as possible. I seem to sense some animosity, anger and hostility in your opinion about this issue. This article is not talking about a general, across-the-board-free-ride where you would be required to empty your own pockets for diagnosis and treatment for these cases. It is talking about people that have insurance for which they pay premiums and have the right to expect diagnosis and treatment for their family members. Autism and a host of other associated disorders is serious business and people need help with treatment. These children are not going into a doctor’s office and just coming out ‘stupid’. Have a little bit of heart, would you.
The problem is that “one in 150 individuals is diagnosed with autism.“ The diagnosis is a catch-all and needs to be more specifically defined. These days any child who isn’t quite with it (or who is just stupid) comes out of the doctor’s office with a diagnosis of autism of some kind or other. Until we get a better definition of the condition itself and a clear treatment plan for it, there is no reason why every child with this diagnosis should be paid for by the public.
I am really glad to see some forward progress in this area. I hope the bill has been written very carefully without some hidden loopholes that will end up making the whole thing a fiasco. People really need help!
Yes. Satan with an MBA or worse a JD behind their name. Only negative is a Celeste is involved. Failure is certain.
Insurance companies are evil and are run by SATAN
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