The Case for Autism Coverage | Futurist Transhuman News Blog

With autism affecting one in 88 children, companies and lawmakers are stepping up efforts to see that treatments are covered by health benefits.

By JONATHAN BERR, who has written for national media outlets for more than 15 years.

Employees at The Autism Society, a small non-profit dedicated to raising public awareness about the condition, are offered a wide array of benefits — except, ironically coverage for autism.

“It’s amazing,” said Scott Badesch, the society’s president and COO, who is lobbying state officials to change the law.

Maryland is behind the times. One in 88 children suffer from autism. Around 30 states have passed laws requiring companies to offer coverage for autism and services such as speech, occupational and behavioral therapies. These laws don’t apply in general to large companies whose health insurance plans are self-funded. But even in those cases, there is progress as more of them are helping to cover the costs of these treatments.

“I am pleasantly surprised at the rapid growth of the number of companies that are offering autism benefits,” said Lori Unub, vice president for state government affairs at Autism Speaks, adding that a German firm was basing its decision on where to locate its U.S. operations on whether a particular state required autism insurance coverage. “I actually cannot keep up with all the emails that I get. ?It is still the tip of the iceberg.”

IBM, Capital One and Ohio State University are among employers that assist workers in paying for scientifically recognized autism treatments and therapies. IBM, the world’s largest provider of computer services, offers a program to cover costs outside the scope of the company’s health insurance plan. It has a lifetime maximum benefit of $50,000, according to the Armonk, N.Y.-based company. In addition, IBM provides LifeWorks, which offers around-the-clock personal phone support from trained disability consultants.

Capital One, the sixth-largest U.S. commercial lender by deposits, offers autism benefits because the company believes that it’s the right thing to do, said Eric Gutierrez, vice president of HR benefits.

The McLean, Va.-based company offers coverage for applied behavioral analysis — a common autism treatment that has been shown to be effective — along with speech, occupational and physical therapy. It also funds and supports a program for autistic adults so they can experience what it’s like to work in a Fortune 500 company.

“These types of benefits are definitely having a positive impact on hiring and retention,” Guitierrez said. “We have several stories of associates whose decision to join our company were influenced by our great benefits, including the autism benefits. This is a tremendous retention tool for the associates using these benefits, as most would not be able to afford these services on their own. Many associates, even those without children with autism, have told us that the autism program speaks volumes for our values as an organization.”