Nevada passes autism insurance bill that establishes applied behavior analysis licensure.
Behavior News 06-10-2009
On May 29, 2009, with the signature of Governor Jim Gibbons, the state of Nevada passed new insurance regulations (AB 162) that require providers to cover up to $36,000 annually for applied behavior analysis treatment for children with autism up to 18 years of age if not in school and through 21 years if in school:
1. A health benefit plan must provide an option of coverage for screening for and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders and for treatment of autism spectrum disorders for persons covered by the policy under the age of 18 or, if enrolled in high school, until the person reaches the age of 22.
2. Optional coverage provided pursuant to this section must be subject to: (a) A maximum benefit of not less than $36,000 per year for applied behavior analysis treatment; and (b) Copayment, deductible and coinsurance provisions and any other general exclusions or limitations of a policy of health insurance to the same extent as other medical services or prescription drugs covered by the policy.
The bill defines the practice of behavior analysis and establishes two classes of licensed behavior analysts, a "Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst" and "Licensed Behavior Analyst," to provide applied behavior analysis treatment for autism:
(a) “Applied behavior analysis” means the design, implementation and evaluation of environmental modifications using behavioral stimuli and consequences to produce socially significant improvement in human behavior, including, without limitation, the use of direct observation, measurement and functional analysis of the relations between environment and behavior.
(g) “Licensed assistant behavior analyst” means a person who holds current certification or meets the standards to be certified as a board certified assistant behavior analyst issued by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc., or any successor in interest to that organization, who is licensed as an assistant behavior analyst by the Board of Psychological Examiners and who provides behavioral therapy under the supervision of a licensed behavior analyst or psychologist.
(h) “Licensed behavior analyst” means a person who holds current certification or meets the standards to be certified as a board certified behavior analyst or a board certified assistant behavior analyst issued by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc., or any successor in interest to that organization, and who is licensed as a behavior analyst by the Board of Psychological Examiners.
The bill does not restrict licensed psychologists from providing treatment .
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