Bill requiring autism coverage moves forward

DENVER - Colorado lawmakers took a major step on Monday toward requiring insurance companies to cover the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of autism.

The State Senate approved Senate Bill 244 on a 19-16 vote. The Autism Society of Colorado estimates 1 in 169 school-age children in Colorado has autism.

For parents of autistic children like Michael Zeitlin, the plan could not come soon enough. He has fought with his insurance company for years to cover his son Ryan's medical bills relating to his autism while seeing his premiums skyrocket at the same time.

"At first, when we submitted claims, they were processed normally and after a while, they just stopped paying and they denied all claims," he said during a meeting of parents and advocates at the Autism Society of Colorado. "The last bill I got was $3,000 a month. So, in other words, the cost for health insurance for me, my wife and my son with autism, $3,000 a month and the insurance company wouldn't cover autism. That's what the costs can be. It's just unbelievable."

Critics argued that the mandate would lead to fewer Coloradans being able to afford health insurance and to an increase in cost for those who still can. Some lawmakers referred to a study from a non-profit HMO in the San Luis Valley that estimated its consumers could see a $485 per year increase in their premiums as a result of the bill.

"Any decent person feels compassion and respect for the sacrifice of families that are affected by autism, but any thinking person is worried about the consequences of this bill," said Sen. Shawn Mitchell (R-Broomfield). "At a time when families are struggling to be able to afford health insurance, when employers are struggling to be able to provide it, this bill pushes it into new expensive areas."

Further, some lawmakers criticized the plan because it was amended to exempt those currently covered by the state's medical plan, Medicaid. They said if it was proper to require private insurance companies to provide autism coverage, the state should as well.

Supporters like Sen. Brandon Shaffer (D-Longmont), the sponsor of the measure, said while the cause of autism is unknown, it is treatable and quoted a recent medical study that showed 90 percent of those who receive treatment, benefit from it. He added the fact the U.S. military's insurance company offers this coverage to its members too.

"The Center for Disease Control and Prevention deems autism an epidemic," Shaffer said. "Health insurance falls far short of covering intervention strategies."

The Autism Society of Colorado says nine states have passed laws requiring autism coverage and 23 others have introduced legislation seeking to do so. The measure will be taken up by lawmakers in the State House later this week.

For more information on Senate Bill 244, visit http://www.leg.state.co.us/Clics/CLICS2009A/csl.nsf/fsbillcont3/68DA0B46C58CF629872575610058D54C?Open&file=244_ren.pdf.