Florida governor signs executive order to improve health care coverage for services for autism

From Foster Folly News:

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist April 2 signed Executive Order 09-82, extending the Task Force on Autism Spectrum Disorders until January 5, 2011.
Governor Crist was joined at the signing, taking place on World Autism Awareness
Day, by task force co-chair Dan Marino, Hall of Fame quarterback for the Miami Dolphins. Governor Crist also highlighted legislation approved in 2008 that increases health care coverage for services for autism.

“By raising autism awareness and encouraging new research, we are helping Florida’s most treasured resource, our children, to live healthier and more empowered lives,”
said Governor Crist. “Extending the work of the task force provides more opportunity for successes and understanding, improving the lives of all Floridians affected by autism spectrum disorders.”

Beginning April 1, 2009, Senate Bill 2654 requires group health insurance policies to cover screening and therapies for autism. For children diagnosed before age 8 with
autism spectrum disorders – specifically autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified – coverage includes up to $36,000 a year for therapies, up to $200,000 in total lifetime benefits. Additionally, insurers cannot deny coverage due to diagnosis of a developmental disability, and coverage must continue until the child’s 18th birthday or until no longer enrolled in high school.

Governor Crist has also signed a proclamation observing April 2, 2009, as World Autism Awareness Day in Florida. Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. Statistics show that one in every 150 children develops an autism spectrum disorder. The disability, while more prevalent in boys, knows no racial, ethnic or social boundaries.

Task Force 2009 Report Highlights

During its first year, the Governor’s Task Force on Autism Spectrum Disorders recommended a unified and coordinated agenda for addressing autism in Florida. Highlights of the report, under consideration for the Governor, include:

• The creation and maintenance of a Statewide Autism Website in order to
  increase awareness of existing technology and resources.
• Developing and implementing targeted outreach campaigns for individuals with
  autism and their families, in addition to the general public.
• Additional research on prevalence, causes and links to autism.
• Increased awareness of early signs of autism and autism screenings.
• Expansion of Take Me Home program throughout Florida and increased safety
  precautions.
• Exploration of cost-saving opportunities for families maneuvering through the medical payment and reimbursement system.