Autism Mandate Increases Monthly Spending In Commercial Plans By $77 Per Enrolled Child With Autism

In states that adopted autism insurance mandates, commercial health plan spending increased an average of $77 per month per enrolled child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Using the monthly average, the annual increase in cost was $924. The increase in spending only takes into account spending on ASD specific services. Commercially insured children with autism had a 3.4 percentage point increase in use of autism services, compared to children with autism in other states.

These findings were reported in "Effects Of State Insurance Mandates On Health Care Use And Spending For Autism Spectrum Disorder" by Colleen L. Barry, Andrew . . .