Its getting easier for parents of young children with autism to get insurers to cover a pricey treatment called applied behavioral analysis. Once kids turn 21, however, its a different ballgame entirely. Many states have mandates that require insurers to cover this therapy, but they typically have age caps ranging from 17 to 21, says Katie Keith, research director at the Trimpa Group, a consulting firm that works with autism advocacy groups. In addition, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently announced that all Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Programs for low-income families must cover comprehensive autism treatment for kidsuntil theyre 21. After I wrote about the new Medicaid coverage requirements, the mother of a 23-year-old with autism wrote in asking about coverage options for her son. Parents of older children have a few options. Some state autism mandates dont have age caps, including New York, California, Massachusetts, the District of Columbia, Wisconsin and Indiana, according to Keith. If an insurer denies therapy and a parent lives in one of the states that has an age cap on its autism mandate, its worth appealing, Unumb believes. The appeal may be bolstered, she said, by the federal mental health … Continue reading →

Its getting easier for parents of young children with autism to get insurers to cover a pricey treatment called applied behavioral analysis. Once kids turn 21, however, its a different ballgame entirely. Many states have mandates that require insurers to cover this therapy, but they typically have age caps ranging from 17 to 21, says Katie Keith, research director at the Trimpa Group, a consulting firm that works with autism advocacy groups. In addition, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently announced that all Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Programs for low-income families must cover comprehensive autism treatment for kids until theyre 21. Unfortunately, once someone with autism turns 21, they fall off a cliff, says Lorri Unumb, vice president of state government affairs at Autism Speaks, an advocacy organization. Its the next big frontier thats got to be addressed. Parents of older children have a few options. Some state autism mandates dont have age caps, including New York, California, Massachusetts, the District of Columbia, Wisconsin and Indiana, according to Keith. If an insurer denies therapy and a parent lives in one of the states that has an age cap on its autism mandate, its worth appealing, Unumb … Continue reading →

Published on September 19, 2014 SYDNEY Government has asked a group of experts to advise how best to ensure that children diagnosed with autism get the treatment they need at the right time. Leo Glavine The experts will review the latest research and evidence around autism, school readiness and treatment. They will begin meeting immediately and will report back in late fall. "We need to make sure that children with autism get the treatment they need at the right age, before they start school," said Health and Wellness Minister Leo Glavine. "We know this is an important issue and we must act quickly. But we also must ensure that our decisions are based on the best available evidence." The panel members are: Dr. Dorothy Chitty, psychologist and provincial clinical leader, Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention Program Dr. Isabel Smith, professor in pediatrics and psychology and neurosciences, Dalhousie University, and psychologist at the IWK Health Centre Teresa Alexander-Arab, speech language pathologist and clinical director, Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech Centres Read the original: Expert panel to advise N.S. government on autism wait list … Continue reading →