Ohio House approves required autism coverage

[The Straight Story]

Ohio House approves required autism coverage


COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Ohio House has approved bills that would require health insurance companies to cover the treatment of autism and diabetes.

The Democratic-controlled House voted 57-39 for the autism bill and, which now heads to the Republican-controlled Senate. Diabetes coverage was approved by a vote of 58-38.

The House included the autism coverage requirement in its version of the two-year budget passed earlier this year. But the Senate took the measure out.

Many Republicans are concerned that requiring insurance companies to cover autism and diabetes will increase the price of insurance overall, hurting small businesses and certain individuals.

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/1310ap_us_autism_coverage_ohio.html

[lightningandsnow]

1. Is the autism coverage only ABA, or does it cover other therapies as well?

I know many parents have chosen alternative therapies, like Floortime, for their children instead of ABA.

[liberal_at_heart]

2. There is a difference between being required to cover and how much they have to cover

I live in Washington State and our state legislature passed a similar law. My husband's insurance through his employer classifies autism as a mental healtch issue. Therefore it only covers something like 50% of mental healtch issues. Our medical bill just to get our son diagnosed was $3000. We haven't been receiving any ABA or any other treatments because we simply can't afford it. We've had to rely on our local school system and the special education programs to help our son develop but he does not receive ABA through his special education program.