Anderson Center for Autism celebrates repeal of ABA regulation on insurance coverage

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Aug. 7, 2013 - PRLog -- On October 31, 2012 the Department of Financial Services enforced an emergency regulation under New York’s 2011 autism insurance reform just as it was taking effect, preventing families from gaining insurance coverage for applied behavior analysis (ABA).

One amongst many, this specific regulation required all Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) to also hold a NYS professional license in order for their services to be reimbursable by insurance companies.

Nearly nine months later, and after immense pressure from New York’s autism community and beyond, as well as key Legislature and advocates, the Cuomo administration has dropped this emergency regulation.  And, individuals, organizations and agencies alike couldn’t be more thrilled to hear the good news.

“In anticipation of the licensure of the Board Certified Behavior Analyst, this is great news. It finally gives families access to the care that was deemed so necessary to the Legislation,” said Anderson Center for Autism Chief Operating Officer, Patrick Paul.

“I saw this coming from very early on.  After multiple revisions to these emergency regulations, it was inevitable that they would wave the white flag."

Flashing back to fall of 2012, Paul explained the emotional state of Anderson families upon hearing the news of the regulation that was inhibiting them from receiving the care their loved ones so desperately needed: “I’ve spoken to many completely distraught parents and for them it was an ultimately disheartening let down. These families are living through a crisis and at the first sign of hope, seeing that light at the end of the tunnel, they were told that there is no help after all.”

Despite the setbacks, Anderson Center for Autism has persevered. The center, located in Staatsburg, N.Y., still managed to maximize their enrollment due to the fact that their learning facility has remained one of the few who were able to provide the necessities that families were struggling to find.

Certainly, thanks are in order for this victory of sorts. This June, Autism Speaks and other advocates, including the New York State Association for Behavior Analysis (NYSABA), worked with Assemblyman Joe Morelle and Senator Chuck Fuschillo to introduce legislation creating a New York ABA license to assist families to overcome the hurdle with the insurance.

Just prior to the presentation of the bill to Governor Cuomo, the Department of Financial Services issued a new regulation making clear that the BCBAcertification, as specified under the original 2011 law, would now be sufficient.

Taking effect immediately, all families with state-regulated health insurance coverage now have access to affordable ABA care for their children and loved ones with autism.

Anderson Center for Autism has been providing ABA insurance services since the Legislation took affect on November 1, 2012 and will continue to work with existing and new clients.

With the positive changes abound, Anderson Center for Autism has been afforded the opportunity to better serve the autistic community thanks to the impasse being cleared.

With the help of the autism insurance, their newly formed clinic is now prepared to provide occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, counseling, psychological and psychiatric services on premises, within the school district or even within your home.

“We’ve made every effort to serve as the one and only stop families need to make on their journey in dealing with autism, and I believe the Anderson Clinic will only reinforce our mission of treatment for life for individuals on the autism spectrum,” said COO, Patrick Paul.

For more information contact:

Brianne Radtke

Ashworth Creative, Public Relations

E‐mail: brianne@ashworthcreative.com/

Phone: 845‐877-0410 ext. 105

About Anderson Center for Autism

Anderson Center for Autism is New York’s premier autism treatment and care center. It is a non-for-profit organization located in picturesque Staatsburg, N.Y., dedicated to providing the highest quality programs possible for both children and adults with autism. It employs nearly 800 specialists who are expertly trained to diagnose, treat, and care for adults and children on the autism spectrum.