The bill passed in the Senate last week and in the Assembly on Monday night.
Citing a federal Centers for Disease Control estimate that one out of 110 children is diagnosed with the disorder, sponsors say the measure could increase overall health insurance premiums by as much as 2 percent in New York. The state would join 20 others that already require coverage.
Affected children struggle with social interaction and communication, ranging from mild to severe symptoms.
Sen. Roy McDonald, a Saratoga Republican, said he has two grandchildren with autism. “My guys don’t talk, and it’s a very serious thing,” he said.
Under the bill, which still needs Gov. David Paterson’s signature, state health officials will identify minimum coverage options for clinically proven treatment and therapy. Paterson will review it, spokesman Morgan Hook said Tuesday.
“The new law will prevent denial of coverage on the basis that treatments are educational rather than medical in their necessity, the most common grounds for refusal,” said Assemblyman Joseph Morelle, a Rochester Democrat and bill sponsor. “To that end, it allows families to appeal denials to an independent review panel if an initial grievance to the insurer is unsuccessful.”
Therapies covered by the new scope of insurance must be clinically proven and peer reviewed, Morelle said. Some parents had urged coverage of experimental treatments as well.
The Health Plan Association, which represents insurers, generally opposes mandates because they increase the cost of health care, spokeswoman Leslie Moran said.
“This bill is particularly troubling because it is so far-reaching,” she said Tuesday. “There is no age limit on coverage. There’s no annual or lifetime cap on the amount that would have to be paid for services.”
Moran said many of the services are currently available in more appropriate settings like schools, and insurers don’t believe they should pay for services such as teaching daily living and academic skills. They also think the 2 percent estimate is low - New Yorkers already pay almost $28 billion in annual health care premiums, and that would mean at least another half-billion dollars.
Judith Ursitti, the regional director for Autism Speaks whose son Jack was diagnosed in 2005, said her family’s out-of-pocket costs have ranged from about $60,000 a year initially to about $25,000 to $30,000 now that he is in school and almost 7 years old. “It’s rare that parents are able to access coverage for children or adults,” she said.
Jack, who was diagnosed at the severe end of the spectrum, is speaking after many thousands of dollars and years of therapy, Ursitti said. She and other advocates stressed the importance of early diagnosis and said it should happen between 18 and 24 months, though only about half of insurers reimburse for a simple screening test.
When dealing with Autism, sometimes it can feel like you are all alone. You may have questions that you can't find the answers to or need a recommendation on a good doctor. That's why it's important to find support where you can. Finding an Autism Society Chapter could be that place for you. As reported by the Autism Society of America, Autism Society chapters are your best source of information and support. To find a local chapter in your area, visit The Autism Society of America and the link below.
http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=community_chapters
Learn more about how you can help support Autism research at Danny's Wish http://www.dannyswish.org At Danny's Wish, It's all about the giving!
Danny's Wish is expanding and our Social Accounts are growing with us! Take a minute to save our links. We are looking forward to fostering relationships with you and making connections. Got a story to share? Email us or Facebook us. Has your life been touched by Autism and you want the chance to help give back? Join our cause page on Facebook. Want to Tweet with us? Follow us on Twitter. Want to help out with Haiti relief? Join The Hope Process' Karma 411 page!
Several ways to connect with us, several ways to get active! We look forward to hearing from you today!
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This ratio translates to nearly 700,000 cases in the U.S. alone.
The information has emerged through a government study that was published in the October issue of Pediatrics.
"Autism is a major public health challenge, and this study is another call to action that we need to be able to provide care across the lifespan," said Geraldine Dawson, Chief scientist officer of Autism Speaks.
It is estimated that over the course of a lifetime, health-care costs for someone with autism exceed $1.6 million, according to the study.
This is why we need organizations like Danny's Wish and to support its efforts. These children require a little more, but what they need can be supplied.
Help, learn more and speak out.
Below is a very informative article on "Teaching Tips for Children and Adults with Autism" written by Temple Grandin, Ph.D., who is said to be the most accomplished and well-known adult with autism in the world. For more on her click here: http://www.templegrandin.com/
Link to below article: http://www.autism.com/families/therapy/teaching_tips.htm
Good teachers helped me to achieve success. I was able to overcome autism because I had good teachers. At age 2 1/2 I was placed in a structured nursery school with experienced teachers. From an early age I was taught to have good manners and to behave at the dinner table. Children with autism need to have a structured day, and teachers who know how to be firm but gentle.
Between the ages of 2 1/4 and 5 my day was structured, and I was not allowed to tune out. I had 45 minutes of one-to-one speech therapy five days a week, and my mother hired a nanny who spent three to four hours a day playing games with me and my sister. She taught 'turn taking' during play activities. When we made a snowman, she had me roll the bottom ball; and then my sister had to make the next part. At mealtimes, every-body ate together; and I was not allowed to do any "stims." The only time I was allowed to revert back to autistic behavior was during a one-hour rest period after lunch. The combination of the nursery school, speech therapy, play activities, and "miss manners" meals added up to 40 hours a week, where my brain was kept connected to the world.
Finding out that a son or daughter has been diagnosed with Autism is difficult for any parent to swallow. With so much literature about Autism focusing on intense, scary details finding lighter, positive text can be a struggle. Nevertheless, parents have to search out ways to best raise their child, while providing the special care Autism demands.
Gilda Horgan is a musician, artist and parent of an Autistic child. When Tyler was diagnosed with Autism five years ago, Horgan was overwhelmed with all of the potential problems her son faced. She decided to explore another angle, looking for inspiration for both Tyler and herself.
Horgan created "Tyler's Magic Word Box", a children's book that she used to showcase Tyler's progress, assist in teaching and most importantly offer a positive outlet for her son. The book praises the hard work teachers and therapists do daily, while also laying out a fun story all children will respond to. The story will appeal to children with its foundation surrounding magic and adventure.
Horgan continues to write about Autism and relies on other families to relay stories of personal struggles and successes with Autism. She feels her work is at its best when it includes real stories and experiences. She is currently working on a collection of lighthearted, silly stories she hopes will be used as a tool for those living with Autism to read and pass on to others in the same scenario.
Check out the entire article about Gilda Hogan's efforts.
