UPDATE 1/20/17… Thank you so much for sharing this post and joining the movement to #CrushTheCap in Virginia. There were very disappointing developments, and here is the latest message from Virginia Autism Project: “The Autism Insurance Initiative (HB1995), sponsored by Delegate Greason, has run into insurmountable opposition in the 2017 House of Delegates. This upsetting situation presents us with no viable solution to keep our bill alive in this session. We are extremely disappointed and sad for the many Virginia families who have a loved one on the autism spectrum and who struggle to get their children medically prescribed services they so desperately need. Those of us that have worked on this issue for many years are not surprised that it will take multiple attempts to pass our bill lifting the age cap. The Virginia Autism Project leadership remains committed to ending this injustice. Providing insurance coverage for our children who have a diagnosis of Autism from 2-10 years of age and excluding all others is unacceptable. Virginia families deserve better. Please consider this a YEAR-LONG CALL TO ACTION. VAP, along with our friends at Autism Speaks, will continue to reach out to educate and lobby those we elect and send to Richmond in an effort to ensure all families’ voices are heard. Please send an email or letter to your Virginia Senator and Delegate and tell them that HB1995 was obstructed this year, but YOU EXPECT THEIR SUPPORT IN 2018 TO END THIS DISCRIMINATION. Also, please send a note of thanks to Delegate Greason (DelTGreason@house.virginia.gov) for his unwavering support.”

House Bill No. 1995 was introduced in Virginia’s General Assembly this month to lift the age cap on mandated insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorder. Coverage in our state is currently capped at age 10. Two years ago, a nearly identical bill was introduced and struggled to survive the House and Senate Commerce & Labor Committees. When the session ended, the age limit was raised from 6 to 10…baby steps, but an improvement nonetheless. We all know autism does not magically disappear when a child reaches his 11th birthday. All individuals impacted by autism deserve the services prescribed by medical professionals, regardless of age, including assessments and behavioral, speech, and occupational therapy. These therapies (especially ABA) are life-changing for my family. We went from asking ourselves, “What if he never talks?” to hearing Thing 1 sing songs, read books, and ask for help when needed. Why? Because of intensive ABA. Thing 2 started Kindergarten at our home elementary school and is completing work on grade level. Why? Because of intensive ABA. We are excited to enroll Thing 3 in the same early education autism program this summer knowing this evidence-based treatment will make a meaningful difference in learning language, social skills, emotional well-being, and the ability to generalize those skills across different settings.

So why should YOU support HB1995?

According to VCU’s Autism Center for Excellence, the average age of autism diagnosis in Virginia is between six and seven years of age, and the GW Autism Institute‘s findings indicate that adolescence is a time of tremendous brain reorganization and plasticity. Adolescents and young adults greatly benefit from treatment, and there are opportunities to better the lives of individuals at ALL life stages. Those opportunities should not be denied because our great Commonwealth has stamped an expiration date on our children!

Covering evidence-based therapy is also fiscally responsible. The Virginia State Corporation Commission reports annually to the General Assembly regarding the financial impact of mandated health insurance benefits.

• The 2014 average claim cost per member related to mandated coverage of ASD is $2.66 per year (22 cents per month).
• The 2015 average claim cost per member related to mandated coverage of ASD is $3.50 per year (29 cents per month).

Actual claims experience from states that have at least three years of autism insurance coverage or no age restrictions indicate an average premium impact of less than 50 cents per member per month — about the cost of a postage stamp! Yet cost-benefit analysis shows that if children with autism receive intensive services at a young age, the overall savings are significant. The provision of intensive services (like ABA) can result in an estimated cost savings ranging from $187,000 to $203,000 per child ages 3-22 years, and a total lifetime savings of $1-2 million dollars.

Would you be willing to pay the price of a postage stamp to save $2,000,000? To make a positive impact the lives of children and adolescents with autism? If you live in Virginia, it is imperative that you contact your state legislators to support meaningful autism insurance reform. To find contact information for your state delegate and senator, click here. Also call, e-mail, or visit members of the House Commerce & Labor Subcommittee #1 and urge them to vote YES on HB1995. Feel free to join me and Thing 1 at the General Assembly on January 31 for Developmental Disability Advocacy Day.

Be loud. Be heard. Be the change!