LARA Launches Autism Coverage Reimbursement Program Website
October 11, 2012 - Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Director Steven H. Hilfinger announced the launch of the website for the new Autism Coverage Reimbursement Program, created by Public Act 101 of 2012, which was signed into law by Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley earlier this year as part of the Michigan Autism Insurance Reform legislation.
As a result of the new law, commercial and non-profit health insurance carriers and third party administrators (TPA) can file claims after Oct 15th that qualify for reimbursement from the Autism Coverage Fund, which a part of the Autism Coverage Reimbursement Program. The Autism Coverage Reimbursement Program website is: www.michigan.gov/autismfund and is also featured on the LARA website at www.michigan.gov/lara.
The fund will help offset the cost to health insurance carriers and businesses for providing coverage of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis and treatments. Children with autism will have a greater opportunity, through insurance coverage, to receive much needed services and treatments.
"This new law means that Michigan is well on its way to going from being one of the worst 10 states to raise a child with autism to being one of the best," said Calley, who is an autism advocate and a champion of the Michigan Autism Insurance Reform laws.
In addition to the approved health insurance carriers and TPAs, self-insured plans that self-adopt an autism benefit may also file claims through their TPAs for employees who reside in Michigan and also receive a diagnosis and treatment for ASD by Michigan providers.
"Michigan is one of 32 states that already have laws requiring insurance companies to cover applied behavioral analysis (ABA) and other evidence based therapies. In addition to helping families with autism, we are also saving money for Michigan taxpayers and creating healthcare jobs," said Hilfinger.
Public Acts 99 and 100 of 2012 will take effect on October 15, 2012 whereby health insurance carriers will be required to offer an autism benefit for the diagnosis and treatment of ASD. LARA will accept claims for reimbursement starting on October 15, 2012 for ASD diagnosis and treatment services provided on or after October 15, 2012. Any ASD services provided prior to October 15, 2012 will not be eligible for reimbursement from the Autism Coverage Fund.
Additional links will be added to the website in the future to the Autism Council and DCH Medicaid Autism Program once they are created. For more information about autism awareness and education, visit www.michigan.gov/autism.
For more information about LARA, please visit www.michigan.gov/lara
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