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For Immediate Release
November 10, 2008
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White: New Autism Insurance Web site Provides Information to
Families
www.paautisminsurance.org
Franklin –State Sen. Mary Jo White (R-21) said today that a new state web site
has been launched to help families with autistic children find answers to
insurance coverage questions.
White said the web site,
www.paautisminsurance.org, was created to help inform families about Act 62,
which was passed in July. The new law requires private insurance companies to
provide coverage for children with autism spectrum disorder. Children under the
age of 21 are eligible for up to $36,000 in autism treatment. The benefits will
be included in policies written or renewed on or after July 1, 2009.
"The General Assembly passed
legislation to provide families with access to autism insurance coverage, and
the Act 62 web site provides a wide range of useful information in one place,"
said White. "Details concerning who is covered by the law, which treatments are
included, and more are readily available. I would encourage anyone caring for a
family member with autism to check it out."
In addition to the private
insurance coverage, the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare will provide
coverage to children who exceed the $36,000 cap. The department will also
continue to provide autism service coverage to children whose parent's private
insurance policy does not cover autism services.
Autism is complex, lifelong
disability that usually begins to appear in a child between 15 and 20 months of
age. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one
in 150 children has some form of autism. Boys are four times more likely to have
autism than girls. Autism can affect social behavior, language skills and the
way a child's body acts.
Contact:
Leigh Ramsey
(717) 787-9684 | 
