Sec. 14.7. (a) As used in this section, "autism spectrum disorder" means a neurological condition, including Asperger's syndrome and autism, as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

(b) A group contract with a health maintenance organization that provides basic health care services must provide services for the treatment of an autism spectrum disorder of an enrollee. Services provided to an enrollee under this subsection are limited to services that are prescribed by the enrollee's treating physician in accordance with a treatment plan. A health maintenance organization may not deny or refuse to provide services to, or refuse to renew, refuse to reissue, or otherwise terminate or restrict coverage under a group contract to services to an individual solely because the individual is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.

(c) The services required under subsection (b) may not be subject to dollar limits, deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance provisions that are less favorable to an enrollee than the dollar limits, deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance provisions that apply to physical illness generally under the contract with the health maintenance organization.

(d) A health maintenance organization that enters into an individual contract that provides basic health care services must offer to provide services for the treatment of an autism spectrum disorder of an enrollee. Services provided to an enrollee under this subsection are limited to services that are prescribed by the enrollee's treating physician in accordance with a treatment plan. A health maintenance organization may not deny or refuse to provide services to, or refuse to renew, refuse to reissue, or otherwise terminate or restrict coverage under an individual contract to services to an individual solely because the individual is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.

(e) The services that must be offered under subsection (d) may not be subject to dollar limits, deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance provisions that are less favorable to an enrollee than the dollar limits, deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance provisions that apply to physical illness generally under the contract with the health maintenance organization.

As added by P.L.148-2001, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.188-2013, SEC.24; P.L.124-2018, SEC.88.