Santa Monica, CA -- In a complex opinion issued yesterday, the California Court of Appeal ended the Department of Managed Health Care’s (DMHC) discriminatory practice of allowing HMOs to deny treatment for autistic children of state employees and low-income families enrolled in the Healthy Families program on the basis that such treatment can only be administered through state-licensed providers.

A case before the California Court Of Appeals could affect the healthcare treatment of over 13,000 children with autism.

Consumer Watchdog fights to guarantee children with autism get the treatment they need

A panel of the California Court of Appeal today took up the long standing dispute about insurance companies’ obligations to cover a critical treatment for autistic children. At stake is whether the autistic children of many firefighters, cops and state employees will get the appropriate care when they need it.

Santa Monica, CA– A California Appellate Court in Los Angeles will consider a long-running dispute at a Tuesday afternoon hearing about insurance companies’ obligations to cover a critical treatment for autistic children.  The case, brought by the non-profit Consumer Watchdog, will also determine if families previously forced to pay tens of thousands of dollars out-of-pocket for autism treatment should be re

Private insurance companies are required to cover an expensive treatment for children with autism, but that same coverage is being denied to children insured under MediCal and CalPers policies. As CBS 2's Randy Paige tells us, a court battle is underway to try and change that.

Appeals court sides with patient, giving hope to others

Health insurance providers can expect new litigation - and pressure from existing litigants - after a federal appellate court decision on Friday said they are responsible for covering mental health treatment on par with care for physical conditions.

Multiple lawsuits and a piece of state legislation are already underway to force insurance coverage of treatment for autism, and advocates fighting for that coverage say Friday's ruling brings momentum to their cause.