The Politics of Autism includes an extensive discussion of insurance legislation in the states.
Coverage for children with autism will be required in insurance policies under a bill signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Mary Fallin.
House Bill 2962, by Rep. Jason Nelson, R-Oklahoma City, mandates that insurance policies issued in the state provide coverage for the screening, diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder for children younger than 9 or for up to six years for children diagnosed after age 3, with an annual maximum benefit of $25,000.
“The Oklahoma autism community is thrilled — parents and providers alike,” said Tara Hood, a founder of Oklahomans for Autism Insurance Reform. “We have been waiting years and years for meaningful autism insurance reform to happen in Oklahoma, and we could not be more happy.
“When you get a child diagnosed with autism in Oklahoma, you only have few choices.”
The law goes into effect Nov. 1.
