So with all the new insurance laws floating out and about I think its a great time to talk about what the perfect Autism Insurance law would be. So lets start a discussion and pose a question or two. What would be the perfect Autism Insurance coverage law?
- What services would it cover?
- What would it not cover?
- How long would it cover children under a parents plan?
- Would it pay for respite services?
My thoughts…..
- I feel like Autism Insurance coverage should be required until the age of 26 on parents insurance. 26 seems to be a number used in special education as well.
- It should cover well documented and proven techniques such as early intervention, floor time, etc.
- It should not cover conspiracy treatments like Chelation.
- I think Respite Services are important.
Lets talk! Also check out my new Autism Insurance Law website!
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
You kind of left us hanging here. No discussion of your points, so I will start off with a good one.
Leave the “evidence based” label in the trash. That means nothing since what the definition of evidence based is different in the medical community, versus the insurance world, versus the therapist world.
Most of OT and SLP is not evidence based.
The verbage that needs to be used is “medically necessary” and “clinically proven”.
There, I started this discussion on one of your topics.
I’ll add my thoughts to the blog post in a second…. thanks for the suggestions….
I will take issue with your point on chelation. My son has dramatically benefitted from chelation treatments. It is not an ongoing procedure. We were able to eliminate and/or reduce many of the heavy metals in his body over a 18 month period.
Chelation therapy has been a proven treatment for many heavy metal poisionings for over 60 years. Many kids were exposed to lead and zinc in the midwest during the 50′s and 60′s.
I agree with your point about insurance coverage that extends to the age of 26. Several medical insurance policies actually cover medical treatments for those individuals with disabilities.
We need to make sure that autism is listed as one of the covered medical conditions. Then parents can setup ongoing trusts with life insurance policies to cover the insurance premiums for the life of the child.
We have a 21 yr old son with Asperger’s (late diagnosis, part of the ‘lost’ generation of Aspies) , and wish that our insurance would cover services for him. Everything seems to be focused on young children and I do understand the importance of early intervention, however, the ASD person continues to need services and treatment in adulthood as well. There seems to be a lack of practitioners, services, and coverage for these children as they enter adulthood.