Alaska State-Regulated Insurance Coverage
Alaska requires meaningful coverage for autism in its state-regulated health insurance plans.
Alaska’s autism insurance bill, SB 74 was enacted in 2012. The law became effective January 1, 2013.
To which plan types does the STATE autism insurance law apply?
- Individual Plans - YES
- Fully Insured Large Group Plans - YES
- Fully Insured Small Group Plans - YES
What services are covered by the law?
- Diagnosis
- Pharmacy Care
- Psychiatric Care
- Psychological Care
- Applied Behavior Analysis and other structured behavioral therapies
- Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy
Does the law impose age limits or annual dollar caps on coverage?
Coverage is limited to individuals with autism under 21 years of age. There are no annual dollar caps on coverage.
Where can I find more details about the Alaska autism insurance law?
A copy of the SB 74 as enrolled can be found here.
Other comments about the law.
The Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) is a federal law that generally prevents group health plans and health insurance issuers that provide mental health or substance use disorder (MH/SUD) benefits from imposing less favorable benefit limitations on those benefits than on medical/surgical benefits. This includes quantitative treatment limits like age and dollar caps.
If you have additional questions, please email advocacy@autismspeaks.org.
Last Updated: December 2019