Missouri law mandates insurance coverage for autism

From KansasCity.com:

At a ceremony June 11 in Kansas City, Gov. Jay Nixon signed a bill into law mandating insurance coverage of autism spectrum disorders.

Nixon’s signature caps a three-year effort by the governor, local lawmakers and families affected by autism to secure the mandate, which will apply to state-regulated insurance plans.

“Because of this legislation, thousands of families in Missouri will no longer face the agonizing decision to sacrifice their financial well-being in order to get this vital treatment for their child,” said Nixon, a Democrat.

The law goes into effect Jan. 1.

The mandate will cover the costs of behavioral therapies, up to $40,000 a year, for autistic children through age 18.

Nixon signed the bill at Children’s Mercy Hospital after holding similar ceremonies elsewhere in the state on June 10.