Diagnosing Autism

Health insurers are trying to make it easier for families to get a diagnose for their children sooner. Starting this May, the Blue Cross Blue Shield health plan Premera in Washington state is expanding the type of practitioners who can diagnose autism and provide ABA services. A diagnosis can now be made by any “healthcare professional whose legally permitted scope of licensure includes diagnosis of psychiatric disorders or neurodevelopmental disorders”. Premera also updated requirements for where applied behavioral analysis can be delivered, now including community settings and schools.