Blue Cross/Blue Shield: Ordered to Defend Their Stance on Treatment for Autism in Children

The Detroit News (3/9, Chambers) reported, “A U.S. District Court magistrate has ordered Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan to produce documents to support its claim that a certain type of behavioral therapy for children with autism is experimental, and therefore ineligible for coverage.” A Blue Cross Blue Shield spokesperson said that “the insurer is very sympathetic to the challenges of families dealing with autism.” Yet, “the push to expand employer insurance coverage comes at a time when many employers are seriously struggling to pay for their existing coverage.”