Tufts — the third largest commercial insurer in the state — limited its access to applied behavioral analysis therapy, a treatment program for disorders on the autism spectrum. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey claimed that by doing so, Tufts violated “autism insurance, mental health parity and consumer protection laws,” according to the report.
The laws in question were passed in 2010, and Tufts said it believed it was doing right by the laws at the time. “We did our best to interpret the law, recognizing the responsibility we have to manage the benefit in a way that provides access to necessary services while carefully balancing costs,” Tufts said in a statement.
Attorney General Healey disagreed. “We can’t treat patients with behavioral health issues, including autism, differently from those with physical conditions,” she said in a statement. “Together, we need to break down the barriers that for too long have made the treatment of behavioral health secondary in our healthcare system.”
To settle the allegations, Tufts will revise its policies to make ABA therapy more available to patients. In addition, Tufts will pay a sum of $90,000 to the state, which includes $5,000 in civil penalties, $20,000 in legal fines and $65,000 toward autism treatment improvement programs.
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