Summary of the Iowa Autism Insurance Reform Law:

  • Requires the state employees health plan to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders for state employees and their families
  • Coverage provided to individuals under the age of 21
  • Coverage subject to an inflation-adjusted maximum benefit of $36,000 annually
  • Coverage of treatments provided when prescribed, provided, or ordered for an individual diagnosed with autism by a licensed: physician, psychologist, social worker, or registered nurse practitioner who determines the care to be medically necessary
  • Covers the following treatments: diagnosis, habilitative or rehabilitative care, pharmacy care, psychiatric care, psychological care, therapeutic care, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
  • Requires rules providing for the certification of behavior specialists
  • Applies only to state employee health care plans
  • Took effect on January 1, 2011