BY PAUL SLOTH
Journal Times | Posted: Sunday, February 24, 2008 12:00 am
Parents of children with autism are crossing their fingers as they wait for the state Legislature to do something about insurance coverage for their children's treatment.
A bill before the state Senate would require health insurance policies - as well as self-insured governmental and school district health plans - to cover the cost of treatment for autism, Asperger's syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified.
Wisconsin health insurance plans are currently not required to cover the treatment of autism spectrum disorders, and those in need depend on an employer's willingness to offer this kind of coverage.
"We're hoping to get it pushed through. We've been writing and calling our legislators," said Cindy Schultz, a local mother who started Autism Solutions, a Racine support group for families dealing with autism. "There's a bunch of moms in the circle of autism, you could say, that have been trying to stay on board with this."
Treatment can be costly and most parents of children with autism end up paying out of pocket, Schultz said.
According to Senate Bill 178, the treatment must be provided by a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a social worker who is certified or licensed to practice psychotherapy, a paraprofessional working under the supervision of any of those three types of providers, or a professional working under the supervision of an outpatient mental health clinic.
The bill is expected to pass in the Senate, according to a spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker, D-Weston.
"There's pretty broad (bipartisan) support," said Carrie Lynch, Decker's spokeswoman. "It wouldn't be a partisan issue."
Lynch said she isn't sure what will happen to the bill if it does pass in the Senate then moves to the Assembly.
Parents have been asking for help so they can provide early treatment for their children as soon as they are diagnosed with autism. There is help from the state through a program that helps families pay for in-home therapy, but families must wait for more than a year to get on a list to receive the assistance.
It has attracted families from outside the state who move to Wisconsin because of the program, Schultz said, making it even more difficult.
Also, the number of children diagnosed with autism continues to grow, said Schultz, who started Autism Solutions after her son Gavin was diagnosed with autism.
"There is a generation of children entering the schools without ever having had in-home therapy," Schultz said. "It's sad because, these kids, there's so much hope for them if you start working with them right away."