Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) co-sponsored Assembly bill 6305-A, which expands health insurance coverage for the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of autism spectrum disorders.

“This law clarifies what insurance companies need to cover for autism. Families should not have to worry about whether their insurance covers treatments when a loved one is in need,” said Barclay.

Insurance companies cannot exclude autism and its treatment, but current state law fails to consider the specific costs related to autism when determining coverage eligibility. Patients and families are sometimes faced with gaps in treatment coverage that can cost upwards of $50,000 per year. Assembly bill 6305-A would expedite diagnosis and treatment by providing insurance parity for autistic individuals by requiring equitable coverage of the disorder from insurance companies.