Tufts Health Plan Revises Autism Treatment Policies Following Settlement With Massachusetts Attorney General

On February 17, 2016, as part of a settlement agreement with the state of Massachusetts, Tufts Associated Health Plans agreed to revise its autism treatment policies to improve member access to treatment services. The Massachusetts Attorney General’s office alleged Tufts had violated autism insurance, mental health parity, and consumer protection laws when it restricted access to applied behavior analysis (ABA) services. Tufts allegedly violated these laws by implementing policies that required parental presence at every ABA appointment to obtain coverage and prohibiting coverage for ABA therapy provided in daycare or preschool settings.

Tufts has agreed to reimburse members who . . .