autism

Providence Loses Autism Case in Federal District Court

But a separate lawsuit, brought against the Public Employees Benefit Board, burns on, as the state of Oregon argues that the mental health parity law doesn’t apply to it. Meanwhile, the Health Evidence Review Commission is expected to approve applied behavior analysis for the Oregon Health Plan at its meeting later this week.

Providence Health Plan has lost the federal class-action lawsuit brought by the parents of preschool-age autistic children after the insurer denied their physician-prescribed treatment, applied behavior analysis.

By: 
Christopher David Gray

Shields Pushes to Empower DCBS as Effort to Put Insurance Under UTPA Flounders

Senate Bill 414 would give DCBS the authority to order insurance companies to pay meritorious claims to consumers, while House Bill 3160 — the push to put allow consumers and businesses to sue insurers for fraud under the Unlawful Trade Practices Act, which passed the House — is close to being dead in the Senate.

 

June 17, 2013 — Paul Terdal is not a lawyer, and he never intended on learning the Oregon insurance code backwards and forwards, but his sons have autism, and his health insurance company — Kaiser Permanente — wouldn’t pay for their prescribed treatment, applied behavioral analysis.

By: 
Christopher David Gray

Senate Health Committee Approves Treatment for Autistic Children

Private insurers and public health plans will be required to cover applied behavior analysis after a deal is reached between autism advocates, insurers and Sen. Alan Bates, a Medford physician.

 

April 19, 2013 — A landmark bill regarding autism passed the Senate Health Committee unanimously Thursday, paving the way for insurance coverage of a specialized treatment that supporters say will help severely handicapped autistic children live more functional lives.

By: 
Christopher David Gray

Advocates Gain Traction in Insurance Coverage for Autism

Group Health Cooperative has become the first insurer in Washington to pay for such treatment, while legislation is being drafted in Oregon

July 24, 2012 -- Advocates have strengthened their hand in seeking additional insurance coverage for applied behavioral analysis (ABA) treatment. Throughout the West Coast, they’ve achieved victories in the court system and, in Oregon, are focusing their attention on legislative changes.

By: 
W. Scott Jorgensen

Attorneys Help Families Struggling with Autism

In a recent case, PacificSource was required to pay for an individualized treatment known as Applied Behavior Analysis

May 15, 2012 -- Two attorneys who’ve successfully sued insurance companies for failing to pay for autism treatments held a workshop in Portland last week to help families struggling with the same situation.

By: 
W. Scott Jorgensen

Legislators Begin Working on Insurance Coverage for Autism

Paul Terdal, who has two sons diagnosed with autism, has been shepherding the legislation since 2009

May 7, 2012 -- Although Oregon’s next legislative session is 10 months away, work is already beginning on legislation to establish requirements for health insurance coverage of autism spectrum disorders and streamline the process of obtaining care.

A closed door work session was held at the Capitol on May 1, and included legislators, insurance industry representatives and autism advocates such as Portland resident Paul Terdal, the father of two autistic sons.

By: 
W. Scott Jorgensen

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