July 10th, 2008

Governor Rendell signed a bill yesterday that requires health insurers to cover autism treatments for children.

HB 1150, which has faced much debate over the past few days, was finally passed through both the Senate and House last week.  The bill requires insurers to pay up to $36,000 per year for medically necessary treatments of autism for people under the age of 22. 

The bill also provides the state insurance department the authority to overview the proposed merger of Highmark and Independence Blue Cross.