Question on new NJ insurrance law re coverage for dev delays

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I'm new to this group and fairly new to the process. My son (25 mths)

was diagnosed with Apraxia in Dec by a peds neuro. He's been receiving

DI therapy via NJ Early Intervention since mid October, and we'll likely

be expanding EI services with the formal Apraxia diagnosis. We're also

considering getting an independent SLP evaluation as well to understand

treatment strategies, etc.

The NJSHA website has a PDF about a new law signed by Gov. Corzine

requiring insurrance companies to cover screening, evaluation, and

therapeutic treatment for all individuals diagnosed with autism or other

developmental delays including covering " expenses incurred for medically

necessary occupational, physical and speech therapy as prescribed

through a treatment plan. "

http://www.njsha.org/news/docs/NewLawtoProvideSpeechTherapy.pdf

<http://www.njsha.org/news/docs/NewLawtoProvideSpeechTherapy.pdf>

This law is supposed to take effect February 2010. Anyone have any

additional information on this, how it will be implemented, how it will

likely effect insurrance claims, etc? The link above is the only place

I've found information on this. We haven't yet started the insurrance

process and are hoping it will significantly improve the process (though

I'm realistic and expect that it won't be widely publicized).

Thanks much in advance!

[Guest guest]

I live in NJ and unfortunately my insurance (as well as my husband's) are not

required to follow state mandates (most self insured plans don't) so this new

law does not apply to most carriers. 

Our insurance will however, cover the initial private speech eval as well as 90

visits (of either speech, OT, or PT);  You should contact your insurance to

determine what coverage you have and make sure you ask if there are any specific

exclusions to your policy.

________________________________

From: <maryfmchugh@...>

Sent: Mon, February 1, 2010 11:47:51 AM

Subject: [ ] Question on new NJ insurrance law re coverage for

dev delays

 

Hi,

I'm new to this group and fairly new to the process. My son (25 mths)

was diagnosed with Apraxia in Dec by a peds neuro. He's been receiving

DI therapy via NJ Early Intervention since mid October, and we'll likely

be expanding EI services with the formal Apraxia diagnosis. We're also

considering getting an independent SLP evaluation as well to understand

treatment strategies, etc.

The NJSHA website has a PDF about a new law signed by Gov. Corzine

requiring insurrance companies to cover screening, evaluation, and

therapeutic treatment for all individuals diagnosed with autism or other

developmental delays including covering " expenses incurred for medically

necessary occupational, physical and speech therapy as prescribed

through a treatment plan. "

http://www.njsha. org/news/ docs/NewLawtoPro videSpeechTherap y.pdf

<http://www.njsha. org/news/ docs/NewLawtoPro videSpeechTherap y.pdf>

This law is supposed to take effect February 2010. Anyone have any

additional information on this, how it will be implemented, how it will

likely effect insurrance claims, etc? The link above is the only place

I've found information on this. We haven't yet started the insurrance

process and are hoping it will significantly improve the process (though

I'm realistic and expect that it won't be widely publicized).

Thanks much in advance!