Va. bill to license autism caregivers advances

RICHMOND

Long-awaited insurance coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of young autistic children is one step closer to reality in Virginia now that a bill to license certain professionals who work in that field has cleared a House of Delegates panel.

The House Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee Tuesday unanimously approved legislation giving the state Board of Medicine authority to develop licensure regulations for behavioral analysts involved in the care of children with autism spectrum disorder.

That legislation is needed because Gov. Bob McDonnell’s amendment to autism coverage legislation approved last year by the General Assembly required behavior analysts to be licensed by the state for their treatment to be covered by insurance.

Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli subsequently opined the state lacks that licensing ability, prompting Loudoun County Republican Del. Thomas “Tag” Greason to submit a bill directing the medicine board to draft temporary regulations within 280 days of its enactment.

Greason’s bill has an emergency clause, meaning it would take effect immediately if it can muster support from four-fifths of the members in both General Assembly chambers.

After years of debating the issue, the legislature last year required Virginia insurance companies to cover treatment of autistic children ages 2-6, capping annual expenses at $35,000.

That policy was supposed to take effect this month, but coverage of some care could be delayed another year while licensing regulations are developed.

Julian Walker, 804-697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com