Anthem of Indiana Sued For Restricting Coverage Of Applied Behavior Analysis For Children Diagnosed With Autism

On April 9, 2015, parents in Indiana sued their employer-sponsored health plan carrier, Anthem of Indiana, for reducing coverage of applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy for their 12-year-old son diagnosed with autism. The parents believe Anthem’s policies violate Indiana’s 2001 autism insurance mandate, as well as federal mental health parity law. In their complaint, the parents said their child had been receiving 40 hours of ABA per week until the family’s employer-sponsored health coverage was switched to a plan offered by Anthem of Indiana. In July 2013, Anthem denied a treatment authorization request . . .