Shayan’s Law
***We need your help to end Autism Insurance discrimination in WA state (HB 1210 and SB 5203). Please sign up for action alerts AND contact us to find out what you can do NOW to ensure swift passage of Shayan’s Law in Washington State.***
Why autism insurance benefits are needed
Washington has Full Mental Health Parity and laws requiring home healthcare to protect the insured from institutionalization. Yet individuals with autism are falling through the cracks.
Evidence based treatment based on national standards are denied by all WA insurance carriers & deemed “educational, experimental and habilitative”, subsequently a highly treatable medical condition is becoming a lifelong debilitating disorder that forces children into fully staffed facilities and residential habilitative centers at up to $240,000 per year, per 1 child.
What will be covered under Shayan’s Law
Insurance Carriers: fully funded private health insurers & public employees plans
Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders by a licensed physician or psychologist
Evidence Based treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Determined medically necessary by a licensed physician or psychologist
- Habilitative and Rehabilitative therapies
- Psychiatric and Psychological care (including Children’s Intensive Behavior Supports)
- Pharmacy care: medications for co-occurring medical issues such as major digestion-system difficulties and seizure disorders, ADHD and anxiety
Limits of coverage: Same as WA mental Health Parity
Cost savings & new jobs created for every one child with autism
DSHS/DDD annual expenditure on Autism: 60 million dollars, $54,174,532 on direct medical expenses. GAO report indicates 18% have private insurance. When private insurance becomes primary payer, the state would save $11,308,389 per biennium including benefits paid for state employees. New jobs created by Autism Insurance Reform: For every one child who gets autism benefits there will be 1 new behavior therapist position that is created, potentially 2400 new jobs.
States/Companies with Autism Insurance Benefits
State Laws specifically requiring coverage of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) and multidisciplinary medically necessary treatments are found in 16 states: AZ, CO, CT, FL, IL, IN, LA, MT, NJ, NM, NV, MT, PA, SC, TX & WI. Similar bills are pending In 31 states.
Self Insured employers in WA State that offer Autism benefits & coverage of evidence based treatments include AOL, Boeing, Deloite, Eli Lilly, Home Depot, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Symantec, Wells Fargo as well as Active Military.
Data on Best Practices
Washington Institute of Public Policy’s published report, Oct. 2009-Intensive behavioral interventions based on Applied Behavior Analysis.
National Autism Center “National Standards Project” Sept. 2009-“11 “Established” Treatments: The overwhelming majority of these interventions were developed in the behavioral literature (Applied Behavior Analysis, behavioral psychology, and positive behavior support).”
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) The Surgeon General, American Academy of Pediatrics, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Research Council, and other prominent groups list ABA-based interventions among the most recommended treatment for ASD.
Download a copy of Shayan’s Law AIP-fact-sheetto send to your legislators.
