HB 0169 2003
1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to health insurance coverage for autism
3	spectrum disorder; requiring a health insurer or health
4	maintenance organization that offers major medical
5	coverage to include coverage for treating autism spectrum
6	disorder; defining the term "autism spectrum disorder";
7	authorizing an insurer or health maintenance organization
8	to confirm a diagnosis or review the appropriateness of a
9	treatment plan; providing that the act does not affect the
10	licensure of a health care professional or impair the
11	right to reimbursement of a health care provider; making a
12	legislative finding that the act fulfills an important
13	state interest; providing an effective date.
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15	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
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17	Section 1.Health insurance coverage for autism spectrum
18	disorder.--
19	(1)(a) As used in this section, the term "autism spectrum
20	disorder" means a neurobiological condition that includes
21	autism, Asperger syndrome, and Rett's syndrome.
22	(b) Any health insurer or health maintenance organization
23	that issues major medical expense coverage in this state may not
24	exclude coverage prescribed by the referring physician for the
25	treatment of autism spectrum disorder, including, but not
26	limited to, coverage for therapeutic evaluations and
27	interventions, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical
28	therapy, intensive early intervention, applied behavioral
29	analysis, and Lovaas behavioral therapy.
30	(2) Coverage for autism spectrum disorder is subject to
31	the same terms and conditions that the insurer or health
32	maintenance organization applies to the treatment of other
33	disorders. However, an insurer or health maintenance
34	organization may confirm a diagnosis or review the
35	appropriateness of a specific treatment plan in order to ensure
36	that coverage under this section is limited to diagnostic and
37	treatment services.
38	(3) This section does not affect the scope of licensure of
39	any health care professional and does not impair any right to
40	reimbursement which is otherwise guaranteed to a health care
41	provider.
42	Section 2.The Legislature finds that the provisions of
43	this act fulfill an important state interest.
44	Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2003.
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