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Autism Speaks representative appointed to National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ Consumer Liaison group… Advocacy Kelly Headrick was recently named as a 2022 consumer liaison representative for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). In this role, Ms. Headrick will give voice to issues with coverage for autism services and mental health parity experienced by consumers of health insurance in the autism community. … on insurance reform to ensure that autistic individuals have access to the healthcare they need, regardless of whether a private or public payer covers their healthcare costs. During this time, we have celebrated huge milestones including all 50 …
Children’s Health Insurance Program: Cmte Hearing to Reauthorization… Earlier this month, the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on the reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Testifying before the committee, autism mom Leanna George shared how CHIP has benefited her son … solution to securing a healthy future for children in low-income families who do not qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private coverage or lack access to employer-specific coverage. Since its inception, the program has helped provide affordable, …
New Mexico passes landmark legislation for autism insurance coverage… In celebration of World Autism Awareness Day, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed landmark autism insurance legislation. Joined by members of the autism community, Governor Lujan Grisham signed House Bill 322 which expands coverage for autism therapies to transition-age youth and adults with autism covered by private, state-regulated health benefit plans as well as Medicaid. New Mexico has set a new precedent by creating a …
Funding for Residential Support Services… Most families cannot afford to privately support an adult with significant behavioral and/or medical needs. Therefore, it is critical to consider the … Medicaid. Medicaid pays for a wide array of services for people with disabilities and provides government‐funded health insurance for children and adults with disabilities who have limited financial resources. Medicaid also provides government … placements for people with disabilities. To be eligible for Medicaid, a person must fit in a specific category of coverage (i.e. age 65 or above, blindness, disabilities), and meet income and assets requirements. Medicaid Home and …
2022 Advocacy Highlights… $30 million in funding for the Autism Research Program at the Department of Defense Texas became the 50th state to require coverage of applied behavior analysis therapy for autistic children enrolled in Medicaid, while states across the country took steps to improve the implementation of coverage for autism services under Medicaid and state-regulated insurance plans Kevin and Avonte’s Law reauthorized Autism Family Caregivers Act introduced in Congress Florida and New York … Securing insurance coverage for autism therapies Autism Speaks works in states across the country to improve public and private health insurance coverage of medically necessary care for people with autism. Texas became the 50 th state to …
Maryland legislation addresses inequities in care under Medicaid… household duties and ensuring their autistic child receives medically necessary services. This is not a requirement of private insurance plans in Maryland. In 2016, Maryland filed a Medicaid State Plan Amendment which added coverage for applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy for children with an autism diagnosis. That amendment did not include …
Children’s Health Insurance Program… Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) expands coverage to uninsured children, up to age 19, who are not eligible for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance. 9.4 million children are enrolled in CHIP. CHIP is funded by states and the federal government to provide …
Marketplace Health Insurance… The Health Insurance Marketplace is an online portal that helps people find and enroll in a private health insurance plan. The Health … whether you are eligible for financial assistance Compare the cost and quality of new insurance plan options Enroll in coverage that meets your needs Marketplace plans are generally available for purchase only during open enrollment periods …
Minnesota State-Regulated Insurance Coverage… Minnesota requires meaningful coverage for autism under state-regulated plans. Minnesota’s autism insurance bill, HF 1233 , was enacted in 2013. The law … insurance law? Click here for a copy of HF 1233 (Article 12) as enrolled. Other comments about the law. In addition to the private insurance provisions, HF 1233 also addressed coverage for autism through Medicaid and benefits available through the …
Accessing comprehensive health care… necessary care (e.g., psychological and psychiatric services as well as pharmacy care) varies widely across payor and age. Coverage and provider limitations exist in both public and private sectors. As a result, individuals with autism are not always able to receive the necessary health care they need to … the medically necessary treatment they need. Closing Existing Gaps Gaps in coverage for autism treatment exist across insurance markets. Some state laws mandate coverage of autism treatment only for young children, while some health plans …