Missouri Senate Bill 167: Related to Insurance Coverage for Autism Spectrum Disorders

January 8, 2009 Senate Bill 167 requires private health insurance companies to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder for covered individuals under the age of 21. Treatments must be prescribed, provided, or ordered for an individual diagnosed with autism by a licensed physician or a licensed psychologist who determines the care to be medically necessary. The annual maximum benefit is $72,000. Coverage includes diagnosis, habilitative or rehabilitative care, pharmacy care, psychiatric care, psychological care, therapeutic care, and ABA. If approved as proposed, the provisions would take effect in August 2009. The bill applies only . . .