Update On Insurance Coverage in CA

I am currently seated on the senate task force committee looking into the overwhelming challenges families face when trying to get autism related treatments covered by insurance. Just last month my insurance carrier spit back 9 months worth of claims - leaving me with a bill in the thousands - which I am still disputing. My challenges began when Nicky suddenly stopped talking, before he was officially diagnosed. When I called my insurance carrier requesting a referral to a speech pathologist I was told "speech therapy is not considered medically necessary". I’m passing on a note from the wonderful Dr. Louis Vismara that includes a web link to the June 10th Senate Select Committee on Autism & Related Disorders hearing on health insurance.
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Dear Friends and Colleagues,
The Senate Select Committee on Autism and Related Disorders, chaired by Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento), recently convened an informational hearing to discuss inconsistencies in health insurance coverage of behavioral intervention therapy for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
“Insurance coverage for the treatment of Autism has been a long standing controversy between advocates, parents, health plans and providers,” Steinberg said. “This hearing is an important step in getting the stakeholders together to discuss and problem solve this dilemma.”
To view the hearing and the compelling testimony that was presented by autism advocates, renowned autism experts, State regulators, and representatives of the private health plans, please click here https://www.calchannel.com/channel/viewvideo/1491 (the hearing starts at 6:24 minutes of the tape). To provide your input and comments on the hearing, please click here http://www3.senate.ca.gov/portal/site/senscoa?vgnextfmt=default

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