SB353: relative to insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorder and Down syndrome.

SB 353-FN - AS INTRODUCED

2024 SESSION

24-2843

05/06

SENATE BILL 353-FN

AN ACT relative to insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorder and Down syndrome.

SPONSORS: Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Soucy, Dist 18; Sen. Perkins Kwoka, Dist 21; Sen. Gannon, Dist 23; Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19; Sen. D'Allesandro, Dist 20; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Ward, Dist 8; Sen. Carson, Dist 14; Sen. Altschiller, Dist 24; Sen. Chandley, Dist 11; Rep. W. MacDonald, Rock. 16; Rep. Nagel, Belk. 6

COMMITTEE: Health and Human Services

ANALYSIS

This bill clarifies insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorder and Down syndrome pursuant to RSA 417-E.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

24-2843

05/06

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four

AN ACT relative to insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorder and Down syndrome.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Coverage for Certain Biologically-Based Mental Illnesses; Autism Spectrum Disorder and Down Syndrome. Amend RSA 417-E:1, III(h)-(i) to read as follows:

(h) [Pervasive developmental disorder or autism] Autism spectrum disorder.

(i) Chronic post-traumatic stress disorder.

(j) Down syndrome.

2 Coverage for Autism Spectrum Disorder or Down Syndrome. Amend the section heading and introductory paragraph of RSA 417-E:2, I to read as follows:

417-E:2 Coverage for Treatment of [Pervasive Developmental Disorder or] Autism Spectrum Disorder or Down Syndrome.

I. For the purposes of this chapter, treatment of [pervasive developmental disorder or] autism spectrum disorder or Down syndrome as required under RSA 417-E:1, III(h) and RSA 417-E:1, III(j) shall include the following:

3 Repeal. RSA 417-E:2, III, relative to coverage limits, is repealed.

4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

LBA

24-2843

12/3/23

SB 353-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

AN ACT relative to insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorder and Down syndrome.

FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ ] County [ ] Local [ ] None

Estimated State Impact - Increase / (Decrease)

FY 2024

FY 2025

FY 2026

FY 2027

Revenue

$0

Indeterminable Increase

Indeterminable Increase

Indeterminable Increase

Revenue Fund(s)

General Fund

Insurance Premium Tax Revenue

Expenditures

$0

$0

$0

$0

Funding Source(s)

None

Appropriations

$0

$0

$0

$0

Funding Source(s)

None

• Does this bill provide sufficient funding to cover estimated expenditures? [X] N/A

• Does this bill authorize new positions to implement this bill? [X] No

Estimated Political Subdivision Impact - Increase / (Decrease)

FY 2024

FY 2025

FY 2026

FY 2027

County Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

County Expenditures

$0

Indeterminable Increase

Indeterminable Increase

Indeterminable Increase

Local Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

Local Expenditures

$0

Indeterminable Increase

Indeterminable Increase

Indeterminable Increase

METHODOLOGY:

This bill clarifies insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorder and Down syndrome pursuant to RSA 417-E. The Insurance Department indicates this bill would redefine the term: pervasive developmental disorder or autism to: “Autism Spectrum Disorder”, and to expand coverage to include individuals living with Down Syndrome. To the extent the broader clinical definition of “Autism Spectrum Disorder” and the addition of individuals living with Down Syndrome results in an increase in the eligible population for covered services, the Department assumes there would be increases in the frequency of claims and total claims cost. This would result in upward pressure on premiums and increased premium tax revenues. To the extent insurance premiums increase county and local expenditures for health insurance would also increase. The Department states the fiscal impact of the bill is indeterminable.

It is assumed that any fiscal impact would occur after FY 2024.

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Insurance Department