H. B. 4091
(By Delegates Rodighiero, Wysong, Reynolds, Hatfield, Eldridge,
Perry, Ellis, Moore, Barker, Miley and Kessler)
[Introduced January 18, 2008; referred to the
Committee on Banking and Insurance then Finance.]
A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by
adding thereto a new section, designated §33-15-22, relating
to insurance coverage for autism.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended,
by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-15-22, to read as
follows:
ARTICLE 15. ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE.
§33-15-22. Autism insurance act.
(1) Every policy which provides coverage for hospital,
surgical, or medical care coverage shall include full coverage for
the prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment of autism
spectrum disorder, regardless of whether such prevention, early
detection, diagnosis or treatment methods are research based or
experimental.
(2) Each policy will also provide full in-state or in-network
coverage for the prevention, early detection, diagnosis and
treatment of autism spectrum disorder even if the individual is
unable to receive a service, or treatment, within the State of West
Virginia and must receive this service or treatment from an
out-of-state provider.
(3) For purposes of this section, "autism spectrum disorder"
means a neurobiological condition that includes Autism, Asperger
syndrome, Retts syndrome, or Pervasive Development Disorder.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to provide insurance for the
detection and treatment of autism.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from
the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would
be added.