This is news. This is BIG news.
As of January 1, 2014 Ohio insurance plans must cover Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for children with autism due to new legislation established by Ohio Governor John Kasich.
ABA services for children with autism will be available through state employee health insurance, health insurance plans sold on the private market and the forthcoming federally mandated health insurance exchange.
“We know that with early intervention, kids with autism do better at school, they find employment and become more independent and connected adults in our communities,” said Greg Moody, director of Kasich’s office of health transformation.
View Governor Kasich’s Letter.
Autism treatment services already are available to about 40 percent of Ohio children through the state’s Medicaid program. The new legislation opens the door for thousands of children with autism who have been unable to receive treatment simply due to financial restraints.
Forty hours of Applied Behavior Analysis is recommended in many cases, said Rick Remington a spokesman for Autism Speaks, adding the treatment can cost upwards of $50,000 a year.
“Right now, it’s nothing,” Remington said. “So we’re very happy that this benefit has been provided.”
State officials said the new coverage in Ohio will provide up to 20 hours of ABA treatment per week.
“Autism is a national public health crisis, and providing access to meaningful health insurance coverage for the treatment of autism is a fiscal and moral imperative,” said Lorri Unumb, Autism Speak’s president of state government affairs.
In the past, parents of children with autism had to fight and fight to get ABA therapy covered by insurance.
Now, the fight is over.
Contact us to see if your insurance plan already covers ABA therapy.