June 24, 2009

Michigan House Bill 4183

The bill will require all health insurers and health maintenance organizations in the state to cover diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. House Bill (HB) 4183 applies to all insurers in the state; a companion bill HB 4476 applies only Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. On June 25, 2009, the bills moved to the Michigan Senate and were referred to the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Regulatory Reform. The bills include coverage for therapeutic evaluations and interventions; treatment reviews; speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy; intensive early intervention including applied behavioral analysis and Lovaas Behavioral Therapy. While insurers would not be permitted to impose limits on the number of visits, or impose dollar limits, deductibles, co-payment, or coinsurance requirements beyond those in place for physical illness, annual coverage for ABA could be capped at a maximum of $50,000.The bills apply only to fully-funded health plans governed by state, and will not apply to short-term or limited duration policies providing six months or less of coverage.