Provide Insurance Coverage for Autism
Support Nick’s Law
FACTS: Autism is the fasting growing developmental disability in the US. In Oklahoma, more than 2,025 children between 3 and 21 diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder are enrolled in Special Education in our public schools....a 60% increase in just three years.
There is no known cure for autism, yet early, intensive, structured behavioral therapies have proven effective in helping children gain intellectual functioning and progress educationally. PROBLEM:
Most private health insurance plans do not cover the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder, leaving many parents to rely on government-sponsored services.
Parents often end up paying for therapies out of their own pockets, creating an immense financial burden. Without the negotiating powers of an insurance company behind them, parents can spend tens of thousands of dollars per year on services, in addition to their insurance premiums! SOLUTION: The Council for Affordable Health Insurance reports that 10 states currently require private health insurers to provide autism benefits.
Premium increases associated with these mandates are modest, ranging from 0.44 per contract per month to $4.10 per contract per month. Nick’s Law calls for private insurance to cover these services, when prescribed by a physician as part of a treatment plan, with a $75,000 annual cap on behavioral therapies.

Vote YES on SB 1537

SB 1537 is part of the 2008 Legislative Agenda for Children. For more information, contact Anne Roberts at the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, 405 / 235-KIDS, or aroberts@oica.org.