Cost of autism treatment spurs Nebraska HHS to reverse stance, oppose Medicaid coverage of it

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.livewellnebraska.com/health/cost-of-autism-treatment-spurs-nebraska-hhs-to-reverse-stance/article_9bef6cbb-8ae4-5c4a-b002-3f7524d84522.html


Posted: Thursday, September 25, 2014 1:00 am
By Martha Stoddard / World-Herald Bureau

LINCOLN — Nebraska Medicaid officials have done an about-face on paying for highly effective but potentially costly children’s autism treatment.

A few months ago, the Department of Health and Human Services was seeking federal permission for Medicaid to cover the treatment.

Department attorneys filed a motion in court on June 23 saying HHS was “cautiously optimistic” about getting such approval.

But earlier this month, Kerry Winterer, the department’s CEO, sent a letter to federal officials questioning their authority to issue a directive requiring Medicaid coverage of the treatment.

FULL story at link.

[n2doc]

1. Of course cost:benefit analysis would never be applied to war machines n/t

[Ilsa]

2. It's simple: pay now or pay later.

The investment has to be made, and the parents usually go broke trying to get the most effective help for their child (ren). The investment now means the afflicted adult will need less hands-on care.