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Senate advances bill widening who may diagnose autism for insurance coverage; fiscal costs debated
Summary
First-substitute Senate Bill 214 would allow qualified clinicians beyond psychiatrists and psychologists to perform diagnoses covered under state-mandated insurance; sponsors argued it reduces lengthy waits, but senators questioned funding and long-term fiscal impacts.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Senate approved a first-substitute bill that expands which licensed clinicians may provide diagnoses that trigger state-mandated insurance coverage for autism-related treatment, a measure sponsors said would reduce long waiting lists for diagnosis and early intervention.
Sen. Kwan, the bill sponsor, said prior law (enacted in 2012) had restricted covered autism diagnoses to psychiatrists and psychologists, contributing to waits of up to 9–18 months. She said expanding…
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