Written by Paul Smith Paul Smith

Published: 03 July 2017 03 July 2017

Requires a health insurance plan to provide coverage for the treatment of autism spectrum disorder. To be eligible for benefits and coverage, an individual must be diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder at age eight or younger. The benefits and coverage provided must be provided to any eligible person under sixteen years of age.

Note: Speech language services are not specifically defined in the statute. Coverage is "limited to treatment that is prescribed by the insured's treating medical doctor in accordance with a treatment plan." Although behavioral therapy is not specifically defined, the statute does set out a cap of $50,000 per year for coverage of behavioral therapy.

Source: S.C. Code Ann. §38-71-280