by Jonathan Slack, Market Research & Development Specialist, AHSS
Earlier in the week we talked about how increased autism awareness has led to better insurance coverage for autism. Today, we are highlighting a unique way Michigan is increasing autism coverage. In 2012, Michigan passed an autism insurance mandate, which mandated autism coverage in large and small group plans, as well as individual plans and some state employee plans.
What sets Michigan apart from many other states is that it set up a $26 million dollar fund to reimburse employers with self-funded plans for the costs of autism services if they voluntarily added the coverage. Despite the establishment of health insurance exchanges in many states, about 45% of Americans polled by Gallup still receive their health insurance from their employers.
We here at AHSS applaud Michigan’s unique approach to entice self-funded employers to add autism coverage. The fund has paid out $2.7 million already, and in November 2014 over 60 companies with self-funded plans included autism coverage.
If you know any other states that have utilized this unique strategy of expanding autism coverage email us at [email protected]. Learn more about Michigan’s special state fund in “Autism Fund Attracts Business; $2.7M in Claims since Creation” by Jay Greene of the Crain’s Detroit Business. To see a sample of employers who include autism coverage in their plans, check out Autism Speaks.
Source: www.crainsdetroit.com
