JEFFERSON CITY—A bill that would require health insurers to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders is among the first Senate bills to receive a committee hearing this session.
Senate Bill 618, sponsored by Sen. Scott T. Rupp (R-Wentzville), is slated to receive a public hearing today (1/19) when the Small Business, Insurance and Industry Committee meets at 2 p.m. A committee hearing for a bill typically involves the measure first being presented by its sponsor, and then proponents and opponents both issuing opinions on the bill.
Under SB 618, health carriers that issue or renew health benefit plans on or after Aug. 28, 2010, must provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. The bill would also prohibit health carriers from refusing to cover an individual or dependent solely because the individual is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.
Senator Rupp’s bill would, however, establish coverage restrictions for autism, limiting coverage to treatment that is ordered by the individual’s treating licensed physician or licensed psychologist, in accordance with a treatment plan.
Coverage provided under SB 618 for applied behavior analysis, a common teaching method for those with autism, would be subject to a maximum annual benefit of $72,000 for individuals under the age of 21 (no coverage for applied behavior analysis would be provided to those 21 years of age or older).
And finally, SB 618 would require the Missouri Department of Insurance to grant a waiver from the autism insurance standard to small business employers that have group health plans if compliance raises premium costs by a certain percentage. Employers must demonstrate (over any consecutive 24-month period) that compliance with the coverage has increased the premium costs of their health insurance policy by at least 5 percent over the course of a calendar year.
The committee must vote on SB 618, making its recommendations for changes, if any, and pass the bill out of committee before sending it to the Senate floor for consideration by the full body.
The Second Regular Session of the 95th Missouri General Assembly runs through May 14, 2010. For more information about the Missouri Senate, visit www.senate.mo.gov. To contact the Senate Newsroom, call (573) 751-3824 or e-mail newsroom@senate.mo.gov.
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