Bulletin 2010-10 Autism Spectrum Disorder Maximum Benefit Coverage for Behavioral Therapy

TO: South Carolina Department of Insurance Capitol Center 1201 Main Street, Suite 1000 Columbia, South Carolina 29201 Address: P.O. Box 100105. S.C. 29202-3105 Telephone: (803) 737-6160 BULLETIN 2010-10 MARK SANFORD Governor SCOTT H. RICHARDSO:'II Director of Insurance All Insurers and HMOs Writing Accident and Health Insurance Coverage m South Carolina, including the State Health Plan FROM: Scott H. Richardson, CPC Director SUBJECT: Section 3 8-71-280, Autism spectrum disorder Maximum benefit for coverage for behavioral therapy DATE: September 1, 20 I 0 I. PURPOSE AND SCOPE The purpose of this bulletin is to address a provision of S.C. Code of Laws Section 38-71-280. added by 2007 S.C. Act No. 65. Subsection (E) requires that annual adjustments of the maximum benefit for coverage for behavioral therapy shall be made to reflect any change from the previous year in the Consumer Price Index. S.C. Code Section 38-71-280(E) provides as follows: " ... Coverage for behavioral therapy is subject to a fifty thousand dollar maximum benefit per year. Beginning one year after the effective date of this act, this maximum benefit shall be adjusted annually on January I of each calendar year to reflect any change from the previous year in the current Consumer Price Index, All Urban Consumers, as published by the United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics." The Department has reviewed the current Consumer Price Index and detennined that no adjustment in the maximum benefit for coverage for behavioral therapy will be made for the calendar year beginning January 1, 20 I I. II. QUESTIONS concerns MAAA South Carolina Depmtment of Insurance 145 King Street, Suite 228 Charleston. South Carolina 29401 in