Governor Doyle recently announced an emergency rule developed by The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) pursuant to recent legislation requiring insurance companies to cover treatment for autism. Effective November 1, 2009, insurance companies must provide coverage for intensive level therapy for insured children between the ages of 2 and 9 with a verified diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, and coverage for non-intensive level therapy for individuals with a verified diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder who do not qualify for intensive level therapy.
Wisconsin Statutes Section 632.895(12m) required OCI to develop a rule defining “intensive-level services” and “nonintensive-level services,” as well as other terms regarding the level of training and education required to be considered qualified under the rule for treating such disorders. View OCI’s full proposed order and rule. The emergency rule will remain in effect for one year. OCI is working on a permanent rule to replace the emergency rule.