S.B. 381 Summary

• Adds pervasive developmental disorders (autism spectrum disorders, Asperger's disorder, Rett's syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder) to the definition of "biologically based mental illnesses" in Ohio's mental health insurance parity law.

• Requires health insurers, sickness and accident insurers, and employer group self-insurance plans to cover applied behavior analysis (ABA) treatment for pervasive developmental disorders when provided by certified behavior analysts, licensed physicians, psychologists, or qualified mental health professionals.

• Caps annual maximum benefits for applied behavior analysis coverage at $50,000 per year.

• Mandates parity coverage on the same terms and conditions as physical disease treatment, including deductibles, copayments, and maximum lifetime benefits.

• Includes exemption allowing insurers and employers to avoid coverage requirements if they demonstrate to the superintendent of insurance that mental health claims independently increased costs by more than one percent annually.