Texas Lawmakers Pass Bill To Cover Some Children's Autism Services

The Texas Legislature has approved a bill to amend the state insurance code to require some health plans to provide coverage for autism-related services. The bill, passed May 27 by the Senate and May 29 by the House, was submitted to Gov. Rick Perry's desk on May 30. Its mandate to cover services applies to children between the ages of 2 and 6.

You can read text of the bill, H.B. 1919, via the Texas Legislature website, by clicking here. The bill's text specifically cites what kinds of autism-related services must be considered, and includes a wide range from ABA to nutritional supplements. A relevant passage of the bill states:

The health benefit plan must provide coverage ... to the enrollee for all generally recognized services prescribed in relation to autism spectrum disorder by the enrollee's primary care physician. ... Generally recognized services may include services such as:
1. evaluation and assessment services
2. applied behavior analysis
3. behavior training and behavior management
4. speech therapy
5. occupational therapy
6. physical therapy, or
7. medications or nutritional supplements used to address symptoms of autism spectrum disorder.

While the Texas bill limits the ages for children who can benefit from this coverage, it goes farther than some other states in terms of spelling out exactly what kinds of services are covered. It will be interesting to see what the governor does.

Also see:

* South Carolina Lawmakers Poised to Pass Autism Insurance Bill

* An updated, annotated map for Autism Bulletin readers of states that have passed or are considering bills that would provide some coverage for autism services. Click here if you see this via e-mail, or view the map below.