Bill Would Require Health Insurance Plans To Provide Coverage For Children Suffering From Autism

State Rep. Alma Allen (D-Houston)

A bill authored by State Rep. Alma Allen (D-Houston) would require certain health insurance plans covering Texans to provide coverage children between the ages of two and 18 who suffer from Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Allen’s bill, HB 451, if passed, would expand on actions the Texas Legislature took in 2007 to require certain insurance plans cover children with Autism.

Three bills relating to Autism and insurance coverage were proposed during the 80th Session of the Texas Legislautre in 2007; one was passed and signed by the governor; one was passed by the Senate and passed out of House committee, but was never considered on the floor of the House; another bill passed a House committee but was never brought up for consideration by the full House.

The bill which did pass, House Bill 1919, amended the Texas Insurance Code to require health benefit plans (as defined by the Code) to provide, at minimum, coverage for children between two and six who are diagnosed with Autism. The bill, however, made it optional for health plans to continue to provide coverage for children above the age of six who continue to need treatment with language stating that the bill did not “preclude” continuing coverage.

Allen’s bill amends the “two and six” and mandates that children between two and 18 be covered and scraps the “does not preclude” language making coverage until 18 mandatory for children suffering from Autism.

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