After 8 years of trying to get autism coverage legislation approved by the Ohio General Assembly, House Bill (HB) 350 sponsored by Representative Cheryl Grossman (R-Grove City, OH), that provides such coverage was amended into HB 463 and passed on the last day of session, December 8.
The bill requires health plan issuers to provide coverage for autism disorder for the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of the disorder. It also prescribes minimum coverage requirements for autism spectrum disorder, and allows health plans to review an autism disorder treatment plan on an annual basis.
Ohio is the 44th state to require health insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorder. The bill passed the Senate 26-5 and the House concurred Senate amendments 72-21. The bill will be sent to Governor Kasich for his signature.