MichiganRadio

Time Waning for Autism Insurance Measure ANN ARBOR, MI (Michigan Radio) - Legislation that would require insurance providers to cover autism treatments is stalled in the state Senate.

Jim and Amy Youngblood's son, Ben, is four. He was diagnosed with autism at a year and a half. Ben's doctor-recommended treatment costs the couple 50 thousand dollars a year.

Jim Youngblood says their insurance claim was denied on the grounds that the treatment was education-based, rather than medical.

"You know, Michigan needs to do their part, and show that if you set up shop as an insurance company in Michigan, you're not going to be allowed to arbitrarily exclude treatments -- especially those that would have a profound impact on a person's life," Youngblood says.

According to a spokesman for State Senator Alan Sanborn, the Senate bill has not yet been scheduled for hearings as this year's session comes to a close.

Youngblood says studies show it costs about three million dollars more over a lifetime to take care of a person with autism who's not been treated.
© Copyright 2012, Michigan Radio