Online New program helps more than 250 autistic children, but more than 18,000 need services in Utah.
A Utah pilot program offers free autism treatment for more than 250 children, but it only helps kids who hit the jackpot in a state lottery.
With more than 18,000 Utah children with autism, the Beehive State needs insurance reform to require coverage of such treatment for more children, said Jon Owen, the Utah Autism Coalitions new president, during Tuesdays live online forum Trib Talk, offered by The Salt Lake Tribune.
About the pilot programs
Thirty-five states require health insurance companies to cover autism services. Utahs autism community has been pushing for a similar mandate, but instead got HB272, which created three pilot programs now underway.
The Medicaid pilot will serve up to 300 children through June 2014.
Utah Department of Health is managing an Autism Treatment Account, which supported care for 29 kids in June with money from the state, Zions Bank and Intermountain Healthcare.
The Public Employees Benefit and Insurance Program will cover up to 50 children whose parents work for state or local government.
Administrators will be tracking the cost and effectiveness of the treatments and report their results by November.
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Experts discuss Utah’s free - but limited - help for autistic children