Bill Positions

Bill Number: SB 394

Bill Title: Health Insurance - Coverage of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Bill Sponsor(s): Senator Klausmeier, et al

Subject: Health

Committee: FIN

Bill Summary: This bill would have mandated as a health insurance benefit additional services for individuals with autism spectrum disorders up to age 21. The bill would have required health insurance policies to cover "applied behavioral analysis" for individuals with autism, whereby behavior and functions are modified by ongoing intensive therapy. There would have been a cap on annual services of $50,000, but no limit on annual visits for services.

History: Autism is currently included within the definition of a "congenital or genetic birth defect". As such, habilitative services for physical and speech therapy are currently mandated as a health insurance benefit. SB 394 died in the Finance Committee without a vote.

Chamber Position: Oppose

Position Summary: The Chamber opposed this bill due to concerns of adding another mandated health insurance benefit that could be very costly to employers. Although children with autism currently receive speech and physical therapeutic services, the costs associated with this legislation could have been open-ended. The proposed annual cap of $50,000 for services may have been unenforceable if it conflicted with the federal mental health parity law. At a time that health care costs should be contained, this bill would have added significant new costs to health insurance policies.

Position Statement: Click here (pdf)

Chamber Staff: Ronald Wineholt

General Assembly: Click here to view the bill on the Maryland General Assembly's website.