Governor Doyle Announces Expanded Health Insurance Coverage will Benefit Families with Autism
MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle this past week announced that mental health disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, will now be covered by health insurance providers at the same level as all other health conditions. Implementation of the federal mental health parity law in Wisconsin will help people access mental health treatment they need, and families pursue all available treatments for children with autism. The new federal requirement builds on the state’s requirement that all health insurance companies cover mental health and new requirement for coverage of autism treatment, which Governor Doyle signed into law in the 2009-2011 state budget.
“This is great news for the thousands of families in Wisconsin who have children with autism,” Governor Doyle said. “I am proud that Wisconsin is finally helping provide the care and support that children across our state living with autism need and deserve. These new federal guidelines will help ensure that many of our families who are facing the squeeze of paying for autism treatment will be fully covered by their insurance.”
Governor Doyle has fought hard to help families and children affected by autism by requiring health insurance companies to cover early and appropriate treatment that has seen children improve dramatically. In the last state budget, the Governor signed into law requirements that health insurance companies cover at least $50,000 a year for intensive services, or at least $25,000 a year for non-intensive services for children with autism and related disorders.
The federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) requirements will require equal treatment coverage of mental health conditions including autism. Wisconsin families enrolled in large group health plans will be affected by these changes. Individual, small employer, and self-funded insurance plans will still have to comply with state autism coverage requirements.
Overall, the state and federal laws will help take the weight off the thousands of Wisconsin families living with autism. Not only will these requirements provide real relief for families feeling squeezed by the high costs of autism treatment, they will also help ensure more children living with this disease receive the care they need to lead healthy lives. Until recently, autism was considered a life-long disability with poor prognosis. Now with early and appropriate treatment, children can see dramatic improvements.
“This is great news for the thousands of families in Wisconsin who have children with autism,” Governor Doyle said. “I am proud that Wisconsin is finally helping provide the care and support that children across our state living with autism need and deserve. These new federal guidelines will help ensure that many of our families who are facing the squeeze of paying for autism treatment will be fully covered by their insurance.”
Governor Doyle has fought hard to help families and children affected by autism by requiring health insurance companies to cover early and appropriate treatment that has seen children improve dramatically. In the last state budget, the Governor signed into law requirements that health insurance companies cover at least $50,000 a year for intensive services, or at least $25,000 a year for non-intensive services for children with autism and related disorders.
The federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) requirements will require equal treatment coverage of mental health conditions including autism. Wisconsin families enrolled in large group health plans will be affected by these changes. Individual, small employer, and self-funded insurance plans will still have to comply with state autism coverage requirements.
Overall, the state and federal laws will help take the weight off the thousands of Wisconsin families living with autism. Not only will these requirements provide real relief for families feeling squeezed by the high costs of autism treatment, they will also help ensure more children living with this disease receive the care they need to lead healthy lives. Until recently, autism was considered a life-long disability with poor prognosis. Now with early and appropriate treatment, children can see dramatic improvements.
posted by Cheryl Hentz at 3:57 PM
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