"This bill will have a tremendous impact on the lives of people with autism and their families. It will also alleviate some of the financial burden on the public education, public health care programs, and social services systems in our state," said Betty Lehman, Executive Director of the Autism Society of Colorado.
Intense behavioral therapy performed in early childhood has shown to benefit autistic children, but it is very expensive. However, studies indicate that such treatment can save more money in the long-run, because the estimated lifelong cost of caring for a person with autism spectrum disorder can run upward of $4.5 million. With the early intervention, treatment costs about two-thirds less.
Once this bill is signed into law, Colorado will become the 11th state requiring insurance companies to cover autism treatment. Autism is one of five conditions that fall under the term autism spectrum disorders.
Posted By: Aspen/CRC