Federal Insurance Providers Not Required to Cover ABA Therapy for Families with Autistic Children

BALTIMORE -- Autistic children of federal workers in 22 states begin receiving insurance coverage this month for a key behavioral treatment, under a decision by the Office of Personnel Management.
Maryland, home to the third-largest population of federal workers in the nation, is not one of them.
"These families desperately need the best coverage for their kids," said Stuart Spielman, senior policy adviser and counsel for Autism Speaks. He said the advocacy group would petition the OPM to expand its coverage as quickly as possible.

State Agrees to Cover Therapy for Autistic Children on Medicaid

Derek Collins and his mother
at their home.

SPOKANE, Wash. -- After three children, Jennifer Collins thought she had it down.
But it became clear early on that her youngest son was struggling. Derek began talking late. He struggled with focus, cried more than usual and shunned affection. At age 2 came a diagnosis of autism.
“We were tearful, emotional all the time,” Collins said. “It’s heartbreaking to see your child locked in their own head and so unhappy and there’s nothing you can do about it.