Janice Crosby coaxes her son, Cameron, who has autism, off the bus as he arrives home from school in Murray on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013.
Ravell Call, Deseret News
SALT LAKE CITY Utah has the highest prevalence of autism spectrum disorder in the nation, yet it remains one of 18 states yet to require insurance plans to cover treatment for the condition.
It is something Sen. Brian Shiozawa, R-Cottonwood Heights, intends to change.
Shiozawa introduced a bill Thursday that would include autism spectrum disorder in the state insurance code, requiring health benefit plans to cover up to $50,000 annually for a child with autism who is younger than 9 years old and up to $25,000 for children ages 9 to 18 for treatment of the condition, which envelops a range of pervasive developmental disorders.
The treatment he wants included in the mandate includes Applied Behavior Analysis and Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention, both of which have proven to have an effective window when children are most likely to successfully respond.
"If you treat autism with evidence-based therapy, there will be positive evidence of improvement, and these children who are intelligence-challenged, cognitively challenged or socially challenged will show demonstrative improvement," said Shiozawa, a St. Mark's Hospital emergency department physician and newly elected senator.
"This is one of the most significant bills you will face this session," he told lawmakers during a presentation of SB55 to the Senate Business and Labor Committee. "It is an opportunity for us to make great medical changes in people's lives."
A Murray mother of four, including two autistic sons, said the provision would be welcomed with open arms.
Janice Crosby has had to learn to navigate medical care and insurance coverage for her sons, Shane, 21, and Cameron, 14. Each exhibits varying degrees of the condition and needs individualized care.
Link:
Mandate to require insurance coverage of autism treatment hits Utah Legislature, inspires families