Albany, NY – State lawmakers have passed legislation that would require New York insurers to cover screening, diagnosis and treatment for autism spectrum disorders.
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Sponsors say that would include routine toddler screenings, behavioral health treatments, speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy.
Advocates say Medicaid is the main reimbursement source and some services are provided in public schools, but many parents struggle to pay for additional services that cost thousands of dollars annually.
Autism spectrum disorders impair thinking, feeling, speaking and the ability to relate to others and range in severity. An estimated one of every 110 children in the United States is affected, more commonly boys.
Gov. David Paterson vetoed a similar measure last year, estimating it would increase state and municipal insurance costs $70 million annually, including higher health insurance premiums.
Good intentions, and everyone enjoys spending other peoples money.
Every time the add another mandate to insurance coverage, whether it be breast cancer screening or autism, it increases the cost to everyone. Usually, its the diseases that have the biggest political constituency and not necessarily the ones with that impose the greatest costs. In an ideal world, insurance would cover everything but there is not enough money to cover it all. Autism testing should be paid for by the individuals and not the rest of us.
Early Intervention is federal, probably available today all over the USA. It might not have been a program or not well known 25 years ago.
There might be more awareness and some earlier diagnosis, I am not sure the efficacy of any treatment has improved, you haven’t missed anything.