Bill requires insurance companies to cover autism

Intro: A bill in the Missouri Senate would require insurance companies to cover autism.

Rebecca Beitsch (b-EYE-ch)has more from the capitol.

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One State Senator from St. Charles County has proposed legislation that would require insurance companies to cover the condition. Republican Senator Scott Rupp cited behavioral treatments that are often not covered because they are not considered a medical problem.

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Description: But there's also other therapies that are out there, the ABA therapy which has a lot of promise, and different alternative types of therapies that insurance companies don't cover because they say well that's more of a behavioral type issue that's not a medical issue.

Senator Rupp says he is working closely with insurance companies on this legislation.

From the capitol, I'm Rebecca Beitsch, 1120 KMOX News.

Intro: A bill would require insurance companies to cover autism.

Rebecca Beitsch (b-EYE-ch)has more from the capitol.

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The rising number of autism diagnosis has prompted one State Senator from St. Charles has proposed legislation that would require insurance companies to cover the condition. Republican Senator Scott Rupp said he does not anticipate major cost increases and cited two studies that found insurance premiums went up by 1 percent.

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Description: What their studies show what it was less than a one percent increase in premium in those states. So when you look at the drastic number of kids being diagnosed,the number of people it would help, when you look at coverages, a less than one percent premium. Sometimes we do have to make a trade off, and thats one thing we definitely need to move forward on.

Senator Rupp said he is working closely with insurance companies on the legislation.

From the capitol, I'm Rebecca Beitsch, 1120 KMOX News.

Intro: A bill in the Missouri Senate would require insurance companies to cover autism.

Rebecca Beitsch (b-EYE-ch) has more from the capitol.

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Out Cue: SOC

A bill introduced by a State Senator from St. Charles County, Republican Scott Rupp would require insurance companies cover autism.Deborah Wiethop with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield said the company wants to cover procedures that are beneficial to their customers, including those with autism.

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Description: When we find out that procedures are effective and really do improve outcomes of health for people, then it's money well spent. That's when I talk about we really want to work to cover what is truly going to be beneficial.

Autism is currently considered a pre-existing condition.

From the capitol, I'm Rebecca Beitsch, 1120 KMOX News.