Today, one out of every 150 children, who are eight-years-old and born in the United States, is diagnosed with a disorder along the autism spectrum. In response to this growing trend, a majority of states have passed or proposed legislation requiring health insurers to cover ASD. Covered treatments for autism spectrum disorder often include physical, speech, occupational therapy, and behavioral interventions including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy. Legislation mandates coverage thresholds for treatments, which may include ABA, from about $6,000 to $50,000 per child per year.
"Magellan is keenly aware of the clinical issues associated with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, as well as the economic demands on families," said Rose Maljanian, R.N., M.B.A., Magellan's senior vice president of product innovation. "The depth and breadth of Magellan's experience in behavioral health management offers a distinct advantage to health plans, self-insured employers and state government agencies in helping individuals and families access the most appropriate care in an effort to improve the quality of their lives."
Magellan's Autism ConnectionsSM program offers a comprehensive suite of services that includes:
- Full service benefits management;
- Care management and care coordination;
- An autism specialty network with providers experienced in treating ASD;
- Autism support services including community resources;
- Web-based educational resources to help families make informed choices regarding autism treatment needs; and
- A Comprehensive Coaching Support program involving proactive outreach and coaching sessions for parents designed to build self-management skills.
"Service and coverage requirements for autism spectrum disorders are changing quickly and vary widely across states making it challenging to manage the quality and effectiveness of care," said Gary Henschen, M.D., Magellan's chief medical officer of behavioral health. "Magellan Autism ConnectionsSM helps families make informed choices and supports customers as they address regulatory requirements, clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness."
Autism spectrum disorders include autistic disorder, Asperger's syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder – not otherwise specified. These three conditions, along with Rett's syndrome and childhood disintegrative disorder, make up the broad diagnostic category of pervasive developmental disorders.
About Magellan: Headquartered in Avon, Conn., Magellan Health Services, Inc. (Nasdaq:MGLN) is a leading specialty health care management organization. In addition to behavioral health care, the company manages radiology benefits and specialty pharmaceuticals. Its customers include health plans, corporations and government agencies.
Source: Magellan Health Services, Inc.
Magellan Health Services, Inc.
Karen Upchurch
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Erin Somers
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