The Autism News | English


The issue over whether to require health plans in Michigan to cover autism care comes down to an old debate: Coverage mandates that drive up the costs, versus improving access to treatment that could ultimately lead to lower costs in the long-run through early intervention.

Backers are vowing what Hope Network CEO Phil Weaver calls a “full-court press” this fall to win approval of legislation to require health insurers to pay for autism care, which many parents are often unable to afford for their children unless their insurance carrier covers it.

To Weaver, the legislation makes good sense both medically and economically.

Getting children with an autism diagnosis into treatment at an early age can improve their condition and better enables them to become productive adults who otherwise may end up on Medicaid if they are deemed disabled, Weaver said.

“We have to deal with this as a society,” Weaver said.

Hope Network, which provides outpatient and inpatient care for individuals with autism, is part of a statewide coalition backing the legislation.

Weaver cites a 2006 Harvard School of Public Health report that shows the cost of caring for people with autism is also significantly less over their lifetime by getting them into early treatment: $2.0 million, versus $3.6 million for later intervention.

MLive

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