The Politics of Autism includes an extensive discussion of insurance and Medicaid services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
A new Iowa law that expands insurance coverage for Iowans with autism, impacting families across the state went into effect Jan. 1. It’s one many are calling "life-changing," including a family in Ankeny.
The Lust family says the law, HF 330, has the power to make real change for so many people across the state. It updates state insurance rules to remove annual and lifetime dollar caps on autism coverage in group plans covered under Iowa law, meaning insurers can no longer cut off autism benefits once a family reaches a specific spending limit. It also removes an age cap.
Under the previous state law. coverage was capped at $36,000 per year, and Iowans with autism spectrum disorder were covered until they turned 21-years-old.
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The law also adds limits on insurance companies. It prevents them from capping the number of outpatient visits for autism treatment or applied behavior analysis.
State Representative Eddie Andrews sponsored the bill. He is a candidate for the Republican gubernatorial nomination.
Andrews says institutions have been hard at work since the bill was signed to make sure they can provide care for adults, too.
“Normally it would have already started on July 1 of last year, but we gave them extra time to expand and prepare for today, so they should be ready to go,” said Andrews.
These changes give a sense of security for people and families like Brandon’s, who continue to watch him succeed and grow.
“A lot of us parents — we call it 'the cliff' when they turn 18 because a lot of things start ending — and so it’s nice that this is one thing that’s going to be able to continue for him,” said Kerry Lust.
