Health Net and Cigna Settle with CDI over Autism

California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones announced today that he has reached a settlement with Health Net and Cigna regarding coverage of Applied Behavioral Analysis Therapy (ABA) for autism.

This makes three carriers who have reached settlement with the CA Dept of Insurance with regard to appropriately covering ABA and autism in California.

Last month CDI reached a settlement with Blue Shield of California to provide ABA coverage for autism. See my Jan 31 blog post: (http://an-insurance.blogspot.com/2012/01/blue-shield-ca-agrees-to-settlement.html)

Of interest is Dave Jones' comment regarding Anthem Blue Cross of California (which was not forced to settle any issues with regard to autism and ABA coverage). Per Dave Jones:

"And we are pleased to reconfirm and acknowledge Anthem Blue Cross of California for providing this treatment as the Department of Insurance has directed since November 2009."

Link to the full announcement from CDI: http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0400-news/0100-press-releases/2012/release017-12.cfm

If there any further settlements with regard to ABA therapy and autism, I will let you know in a future blog.

Dave
www.an-insurance.com

HHS Unveils Final Health Plan Label Design

HHS has announced the final regulations regarding the information that health insurers must provide to consumers to explain their health plan.

The labels will simplify the now-complex legalese and fine print associated with health plan benefit summaries. All health plans must follow the same guideline so that plan benefits will be much easier to understand and easier to compare.

I believe that unified plan summaries in this format are a great thing and will help people better understand exactly how their health insurance plan will work for them.

This standardized form will be available in September, 2012.

Here is an article with benefit summary samples.

Dave
www.an-insurance.com