The Legislature continues on its path to improve access to health care for children and adults with autism spectrum disorder, with a Senate committee voting unanimously Tuesday to eliminate a requirement that children be diagnosed with autism by age 8 to qualify for insurance.
The legislation, SB 756, also requires policies sold to large employers (defined as businesses with more than 50 employees) to cover the benefit until the child no longer is covered by the policy. Today, applied behavior analysis and other services meant to habilitate people with autism are only required to be provided until the child is 18.
The bill doesn’t alter the annual or lifetime limits of $36,000 and $180,000, respectively.
Senate OKs sweeping autism bill as Capitol focuses on developmental disabilities
The bill revises the definition of the term, “autism spectrum disorder” to conform with the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), which identifies a condition characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction and repetitive behaviors. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of 2020 an estimated one in 36 children aged 8 has autism.
The Senate already has passed legislation aimed at improving access to autism diagnoses and educational opportunities. SB 112 was the first bill to clear the Senate and passed unanimously. It’s a top priority for Speaker Ben Albritton and House Speaker Danny Perez.
A House education panel on Tuesday agreed to amend HB 591 to make the bill identical to its Senate counterpart, according to House bill sponsor Rep. Randy Maggard.