HB1624 Summary

• Orders a legislative referendum to be submitted to voters requiring health insurers to provide coverage for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders in individuals under age 21.

• Requires coverage for all therapies, treatments, diagnoses, testing, and medications prescribed by licensed physicians, with behavioral therapy capped at $30,000 per year and limited to 3 years (extendable based on clinical progress).

• Establishes that coverage cannot be subject to less favorable dollar limits, deductibles, or coinsurance than those applied to physical illness, and prohibits denial or termination of coverage based solely on autism diagnosis.

• Exempts limited benefit policies including accident-only, specified disease, hospital indemnity, Medicare supplement, and long-term care policies from coverage requirements.

• Defines autism-related terms including autistic disorder and autism spectrum disorder, and requires diagnosis by a licensed physician or behavioral practitioner; treatment plans must include diagnosis, proposed treatments, anticipated outcomes, update frequency, and treating physician signature.