The Politics of Autism includes an extensive discussion of insurance and Medicaid services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Approximately 5 percent of children ages 3 to 17 with public insurance have Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), as reported by parents. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provides states with several options under the federal Medicaid program for providing services to eligible individuals with Autism or ASD, including access to therapy services, preventive services and other licensed practitioner services. The Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit requires that all children enrolled in Medicaid, and at state option children enrolled in the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), receive screenings designed to identify health and developmental issues, including ASD, as early as possible. EPSDT also requires that Medicaid programs provide medically necessary diagnostic and treatment services to covered children.
Key Findings • Children with public coverage were reported to have significantly higher rates of Autism or ASD than children with private or no current coverage. • Half of children with public coverage who were reported to have Autism or ASD were diagnosed by age 4.
