State legislation: Missouri - Compromise requested on SS/SB 618 autism insurance bill; licensing highlighted as pivotal issue

In the Tuesday April 6, 2010 hearing on SS/SB 618/ the autism insurance bill currently in the House Special Standing Committee on Health Insurance, insurance industry representatives requested that the Senate bill as it stands be rejected in preference to House bill HB 1311&1341, which has a lower age and annual treatment cap. HB 1311&1341 would also establish a licensing requirement for supervision of applied behavior analysis service delivery and practice of applied behavior analysis, which the Senate bill does not contain. The Committee did not take action on SS/SB 618 on Tuesday, although compromises were discussed.

From the Missourian news article, in reference to concerns about lack of a licensing provision,

"David Smith, a lobbyist for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, also opposed the Senate bill and expressed concerns about its lack of licensing requirements for therapists.

'There needs to be a background check, at least,' Smith said. 'These people are part of the day-to-day operation in the lives of those kids.'

Qualms regarding licensing and training regulations resurfaced later in the hearing, when the government affairs director for the insurance company Coventry Health Care, Cheryl Dillard, testified against the bill.

'Many of (the therapists) will be alone with very vulnerable children,' Dillard said. 'Licensing is terribly important.' "

Unstated in the news article, although covered by this blog, is that Missouri currently has a separate licensing bill submitted in the 2010 legislature which would license the profession of applied behavior analysis,

SB 1030: AN ACT  To amend chapter 337, RSMo, by adding thereto ten new sections relating to the licensure of the profession of applied behavior analysis, with penalty provisions.

SB 1030 has had no movement since its assignment on March 4, 2010 to the Senate Financial and Governmental Organizations and Elections Committee

For more reading
Missouri House committee looks for compromise with Senate autism bill
Wednesday, April 7, 2010 | 12:01 a.m. CDT
Missourian

Past blog posts
Sunday, April 4, 2010
State legislation: Missouri - SS/SB 618 autism insurance bill scheduled for House Committee hearing on Tuesday, April 6, 2010; HB 1311 & 1341, and SB 1030 in holding pattern

Saturday, March 13, 2010
State legislation - Missouri SB 1030 - Creates the Behavior Analyst Advisory Board and requires licensing to engage in applied behavior analysis

© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.

State legislation: Rhode Island - autism insurance bill HB 7260 scheduled for Committee hearing on Wed. April 14, 2010

The Rhode Island Legislative Committee Calendar shows

H. 7260 ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS
(would require coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders)
{LC106/1}

as scheduled for hearing on Wednesday, April 14, 2010 in the House Committee on Health, Education & Welfare.
TIME:    Rise of the House
PLACE:    Room 135 - State House

H.7260 defines applied behavior analysis, includes coverage of applied behavior analysis within "habilitative or rehabilitative care", however the delivery of applied behavior analysis is not defined nor are such as BACB certificants or of equivalent competency defined.   A statement is made that an "Autism services provider" means any person, entity, or group that provides treatment.

Another bill which proposes autism treatment coverage but does not include behavioral treatment, SB 2422, is currently in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. SB 2422 shows no movement since its introduction and referral to that Committee.

For more information
The State of Rhode Island General Assembly

Autism Votes Rhode Island

Past post
Saturday, March 27, 2010
State legislation: Rhode Island - Two autism insurance bills in the legislature; House bill explicitly identifies ABA, Senate bill not

© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.

Reminder: 2 weeks until deadline for submitting comment to DSM-5 revisions

April 20, 2010 is the deadline for submitting public comment to the initial draft recommendations to the fifth version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, aka DSM-5.

After April 20, the draft will still be available for viewing, but comments will no longer be taken.

The anticipated release of the completed DSM-5 is May 2013 to coordinate with the scheduled U.S. implementation on October 1, 2013 of the International Classification of Diseases-10-Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) (World Health Organization/WHO) codes for all Medicare/Medicaid claims reporting. Chapter V of the ICD-10-CM is Mental and behavioral disorders. A related development is that the ICD is also in revision to ICD-11 - that revised version is expected to be released in 2014 or 2015.

Past post
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Initial draft revision of the DSM-V unveiled Wednesday, February 10, 2010; comments requested until April 20, 2010

© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.