PENNSYLVANIA Health Insurance : handling autism benefits : EasyToInsureME

PENNSYLVANIA Health Insurance : The Insurance Department last week published guidance advising insurers on handling autism benefits mandated in a 2008 law. Applicable to large group policies issued or renewed after July 1, the policy statement clarifies that prescriptions, psychiatric care, rehabilitative care and therapeutic care for treatment of autism must be covered when prescribed as medically necessary. General limitations on scope and duration are permissible so long as the limits are imposed to "the same extent" as those imposed on other medical services. The law, however, bans specific limitations on the number of covered visits. The statement also says that regulations will be forthcoming in October regarding whether autism is a mental health condition subject to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008.