Rochester, NY (PRWEB) March 10, 2014
Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD), in partnership with AutismUp, will offer a free, three-hour workshop titled New York Insurance Funding for Autism to help parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) navigate their way through the insurance coverage process. Parents will learn what must be covered under New York law and how they can gain access to coverage. The workshop takes place at Autism Up on Monday, April 7, 2014, from 7 to 10:00 p.m., located at 180 Linden Oaks Dr., Rochester, N.Y. 14625. Refreshments and light snacks will be provided. Registration is required by April 5, 2014 to d.plump(at)centerforautism(dot)com.
Gaining access to insurance coverage for autism treatment can be a confusing and difficult process for families, said Bryce Miler, CARD director of contracts. We are excited to partner with AutismUp to provide parents with the information necessary to advocate for their children.
Attendees will learn what insurance companies will and will not cover, types of plans and rules regarding coverage, effective strategies to maximize benefits, how to understand the complexities of different insurance carriers, which plans must comply with the New York autism insurance mandate, information about the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) plans, and what to know during open enrollment.
The New York autism insurance mandate (A 8512) went into effect in November 2012, as one of the most comprehensive autism insurance reforms in the country, requiring health plans to provide coverage of critical autism therapies for both children and adults diagnosed with ASD. Shortly after, the New York Department of Financial Services published emergency regulations which required ABA therapy to be provided only by licensed Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs). This left many families without access to care, as New York had no state licensure process. In July 2013, the emergency regulations were revised to allow BCBAs to supervise treatment, thus opening the door to insurance coverage once again and leaving families with many questions.
ABA is the only scientifically validated treatment for ASD, and research shows it is most effective when delivered early and at a high level of intensity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in every 88 children in America is diagnosed with ASD, making it more prevalent than pediatric cancer, juvenile diabetes, and pediatrics AIDS combined.
About AutismUp AutismUp is the leading 501(c)3 autism organization in Rochester and the surrounding areas. Founded in 2004 by a small group of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), its mission is to support individuals with ASD and their families by expanding and enhancing opportunities to improve quality of life. AutismUp has grown to include over 1,000 family and professional members. The efforts of AutismUp have reached thousands in the upstate New York area to raise awareness of the autism epidemic and to strengthen the abilities and increase the success of individuals with ASD.
About Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) CARD treats individuals of all ages who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at its 26 treatment centers around the globe. CARD was founded in 1990 by leading autism expert and clinical psychologist Doreen Granpeesheh, PhD, BCBA-D. CARD treats individuals with ASD using the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA), which is empirically proven to be the most effective method for treating individuals with ASD and recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the US Surgeon General. CARD employs a dedicated team of over 1,000 individuals across the nation and internationally. For more information, visit http://www.centerforautism.com.
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Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) Partners with AutismUp to Help Rochester Parents Gain Access to Autism ...