1. Autism

2. Center for Disease Control
Research shows that a child needs intensive treatment programs that involve hours per week per child
The cost of treatment can reach $24,000 to $40,000 peryear
Less than 6% of ASD children get assistance to help pay for treatments

3. National Institute of Health Research
47% of children who receive early intervention and at least 30 hours per week of treatment lead independent lives as adults
Of thos who do not 90% need a lifetime of expensive custodial care.
Treatment is primarily funded by parents.
Medical insurance is in response to illness treatment, however, because autism is not an illness and in many cases while improvements are made not “curable”.

4. DMR Autism waiver program 2005-2007
With funding from federal centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services DMR provided expanded home and community based services fo 80 low – income children with autism under age 9 Families were selected through a lottery process. Program was limited to those who were eligible for Medicatd and receive up to $25,000 worth of services per year. Under the waiver the federal government reimbursed MA 50% for the cost of intensive home services.

5. 2009 Budget appropriation for FY 2009
FY 2009 included 2 million in new money, but due to economic downturn, Govern Deval Patrick reduced these expenditures by 1.5 million
The waiver served 20 families rather than 80.
Insurance companies have traditionally declined to pay for treatment asserting that the care is not strictly medical.

6. States that specifically require insurers to provide coverage for the treatment of autism.
 Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin
Alabama requires insurers to offer autism coverage in certain situations. 
Vermont amended their law to cover treatment for early childhood developmental disorders, which includes autism spectrum disorders.