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550 S. Wadsworth Blvd.
Suite 100
Lakewood, CO 80226
(720) 214-0794 office
(720) 274-2744 fax
(877) COLO-ASD toll free
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Public Policy
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Current Legislation |
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The Autism Society of Colorado is not actively pursuing any legislation in the 2011 session. Please sign up for our monthly newsletter (in the right hand menu on this page) to keep up to date on major events and legislative action items.
HIMAT (Health Insurance Mandated Autism Treatment (formerly known as Senate Bill 244 - 2009)
The Autism Society of Colorado is currently working collaboratively with providers and insurace companies to help insure that this law will be implemented properly. We will post new information as soon as we are able.
The Autism Society of Colorado Delivers Comprehensive Autism Insurance Reform
Denver, CO (June 3, 2009) -- Autism Society of Colorado, along with many advocacy groups joined Governor Bill Ritter Jr. for signing into law Senate Bill 09-244, which requires insurance companies to provide coverage of for treatment of autism.
According to Betty Lehman, Executive Director of the Autism Society of Colorado, “This is a significant advancement in Colorado health care legislation. Because of the unwavering support of State Senator Brandon Shaffer (D-17) and Representative Dianne Primavera (D-33), children with autism now have the insurance coverage for benefits they so desperately need and deserve which results in both quality of life and future savings in education and long term care.”
"Health care reform is a central part of the Colorado Promise and my strategy for leading Colorado forward," Gov. Ritter said. "Over the last 21⁄2 years, we've increased availability, improved quality and addressed costs. The bill I am signing today will help continue our efforts to build a strong, sustainable health care system for Colorado."
Colorado is the twelfth state to pass autism insurance reform joining Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Texas that have passed similar autism insurance reform bills.
Quick Facts: SB 09-244
Concerning Health Insurance Benefits for the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders
Law is effective July 1, 2010 - Directs health benefit plans to provide coverage for assessment, diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder and defines what type of coverage is required for the treatment of ASD, including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
On or after July 1, 2010, annual maximum benefit for applied behavior analysis includes:
- Birth through 8 years of age = $34,000
- 9 years of age through 18 years of age = $12,000
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Last Updated on Monday, 11 April 2011 13:40 |
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Legislative Accomplishments |
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Legislative Advocacy and Statutes:
° Health Insurance Mandated Autism Treatment (HIMAT), 2009
° Developmental Disability Early Intervention Services, 2009
° State of Colorado, City and County of Denver, City of Arvada Autism Education Week Proclamations, 2009
° Developed contracts and programming to implement the Family Caregiver Act, 2009
° Four State of Colorado Resolutions for Autism
° Colorado Autism Commission, 2008
° Private Insurance Reforms Act, 2008
° Expanding the Promise for Individuals with Autism Act, Federal, 2008
° Coordinated Payment for Early Intervention, 2007
° CHP+ Information Outreach, 2006
° Combating Autism Act, Federal, 2006
° Fairness in Appeals Process for Private Health Insurance, 2004 and 2005
° Children’s Autism Medicaid Waiver, 2000 and 2004
° Children’s Therapy Private Health Plan Mandate, 1996
° Children’s Extensive Support Medicaid Waiver, 1995
° Autism Private Health Plan Statute, 1993
° Family Support Legislation, 1990 |
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 08 March 2011 13:41 |
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TABOR |
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Why is public funding for services to individuals with disabilities so poor in Colorado?
Unlike most states in the country where a representative form of government allows elected officials to represent their constituencies and make fiscal decisions on their behalf, Colorado has decided that constitutional authority shall be in charge of tax revenues and how they are spent.
Put into the state’s constitution in 1992, the Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights (popularly called TABOR) changed the way Colorado made decisions about caring for its citizenry and the beautiful state they lived in. You might compare what TABOR did to our state system of government to that of a sort of “differently functioning family” (to put it politely.)
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 23 March 2010 15:28 |
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Events Calendar
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February 2012 |
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Public Policy
