The nonprofit organizations founder and executive director, Michele LaMarche, testified in support of the legislation, known as House Bill 8, which directs private insurance companies in Ohio to cover the cost of autism treatment.
Columbus, Ohio (PRWEB) January 31, 2013
Step By Step was asked to provide testimony late last year in support of House Bill 8. Founder and executive director, Michele LaMarche, BCBA, welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the conversation that would ultimately result in the addition of autism benefits in the state's new healthcare exchange beginning in 2014.
The successful outcome of the new legislation will result in insurance companies providing coverage of autism treatment for 20 hours of ABA weekly, 20 visits per year for speech and language therapy, 20 visits per year for occupational therapy and 30 visits per year for mental/behavioral health outpatient services performed by a licensed psychologist, psychiatrist or physician.
Required as part of the federal affordable care act, the state healthcare exchanges will serve as online markets for individuals and small businesses to obtain insurance. The exchanges are required to include 10 essential health benefits, including coverage of behavioral health treatment, such as ABA.
According to LaMarche, the newly passed law will have a multi-fold impact on Ohio communities including, but not limited, to the following:
Prior to the signing of the legislation by Ohio Governor John Kasich, autism was the only catastrophic medical condition not covered even though 32 other states had already enacted autism insurance reform laws, said LaMarche. Of those, each requires coverage for ABA, and now so does Ohio. The signing of the bill by the governor is more than just something to celebrate; its a major step forward for individuals that have been too long underserved.
In addition to the now 33 states providing coverage of autism, civilian employees of the federal government now have coverage for ABA through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program; families of active and recently added inactive military personnel have access to ABA treatment through the government insurance benefits program, TRICARE; and 25 Ohio employers have already opted to provide coverage for autism treatment under their self-insured health plans.
Step By Step serves children, teens and adults throughout the greater Columbus, Ohio, metro area. For more information about Step By Step, call 614-436-7837 or visit http://www.stepbystepacademy.org.
About Step By Step, Inc.
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Step By Step’s Expert Testimony Provides Support of Recently Signed Legislation that Mandates Coverage of Autism in Ohio