Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires health insurance plans to cover treatment and resources for autism.

Highlights:

• Requires health benefit plans to provide coverage for the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of autism spectrum disorders in individuals under 9 years old or for 6 years after the diagnosis of someone 3 years old or older (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits insurers from terminating coverage or refusing to issue coverage to an individual solely because of diagnosis of or treatment for an autism spectrum disorder (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits limit on number of visits an individual make make for treatment of autism spectrum disorders (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits dollar limits and other provisions from being less favorable to an insured that the same provisions for all medical and surgical benefits (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that coverage for applied behavior analysis shall be subject to a maximum benefit of 25 hours per week and no more than $25,000 per year, which will be adjusted for inflation on an annual basis (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes insurers to review the treatment plan for autism spectrum disorders annually (Sec. 1).

• Requires insurers to provide the same coverage and benefits to an individual under 18 who has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder as it would provide to an individual under 18 who has not been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text