The Autism Insurance Bill has Passed and Governor Napolitano has signed it!

The Arizona Legislature passed legislation to require insurance companies to cover autism treatment and the Governor signed it March 21, 2008!

Thank you to all of our members, volunteers,
and especially everyone who wrote letters, made phone calls
and came down to the hearings!

We could not have done this without all of you!!



HB2847 (identical to SB1263) passed out of the Senate with 23 voting FOR, 6 voting AGAINST and 1 not voting!

HB2847 passed out of the House of Representatives with 40 voting for it and 20 voting against it!

Governor Napolitano signed the bill into law on March 21, 2008!

To see how your legislator voted, click here for the official vote tally.

Read the latest NEWS articles about the legislation!

Download the Bill (House Engrossed Version)

Summary of the impact of this legislation:

While the bill has changed in form – its accomplishes what we set out to do: help families secure occupational, speech, physical and behavioral therapies that have been consistently denied based on exclusions of autism in health insurance policies in Arizona.

Originally, our bill listed all four of these therapies as specifically being covered. Though, OT, speech and PT therapies are no longer listed in the legislation, the insurers will no longer be permitted to exclude children with autism from receiving these treatments.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) was listed, which is an unusual step to list a particular treatment in law, because of historical reluctance by the health insurance industry to recognize ABA as a valid treatment. The Legislature wanted to make clear to insurers that ABA treatment, is one of the evidence based treatments that can no longer be denied to children with autism.

While groundbreaking, there are several limitations which are important to note:

  • This law only applies to large group employers (more than 50 people) and does not apply to self-insured businesses. (Changes to self-insured plans may be done at the employer’s request or by Congressional legislation).
  • This bill will take effect July 2009 – to give insurers time to make the business changes necessary for implementation.
  • ABA is limited to $50,000 per year until age 9, and $25,000 per year until age 16.
  • All treatments must be medically necessary and the insurer may establish limitations on the number of visits – as long as though limitations are consistent with limitations relating to other conditions.

    This will have a major impact on families. Congratulations!

 

Facts & FAQ's:

Check out these facts about autism, frequently asked questions about the insurance legislation, and arguments for autism insurance...

 

  

What's New
3.21.08
HB2847 was signed into law by Governor Napolitano!

3.17.08
HB2847 (identical to SB1263) Passed Third Reading in the Senate and goes to the Governor to sign!!!

3.13.08
SB1263 scheduled for Senate Committee of the Whole.

3.11.08
HB2847 Passed Third Reading in the House with a vote of 40-For, 20-Against and moves on to the Senate.

3.10.08
SB1263 passed out of the Senate Rules Committee.

3.10.08
HB2847 was discussed and passed out of the House Committee of the Whole (COW).

3.4.08
HB2847 was adopted by leadership and an commitment was made so that both the House and Senate bills will be IDENTICAL and will move forward in the legislative process.

3.4.08
SB1263 (Steven's Law) passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

2.14.08
SB 1263 passed out of the
Senate Health Committee with
a UNAMIMOUS VOTE! -
Watch the hearing video...
Click on SB1263 Steven’s Law to see the proceedings!

1.29.08
Senate Bill 1263 was introduced in the Arizona State Legislature. Follow the bill's progress. more...

1.29.08
Over 500 people attended the Autism Candlelight Vigil at the Arizona State Capitol on January 29th! more...