Several major corporations, including Fortune 500 companies such as Bank of America, Comcast, Nike, and Novartis, have voluntarily introduced coverage of behavioral health treatment for autism, a category that includes applied behavior analysis, in their employee health plans. by 2015. Another, JetBlue Airways, will introduce the coverage to its employees this July.
Because all of these companies self-insure their health plans, they are exempt from state insurance statutes and regulation, such as autism insurance reform laws. Their health plans are regulated by the federal ERISA law.
“These leading companies chose to do the right thing for their employees by voluntarily offering coverage for autism diagnosis and treatment, including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA),” said Lorri Unumb, vice president of state government affairs for Autism Speaks. To do this, she noted, it will help companies attract and retain top-quality employees.
According to a 2013 Mercer survey of health benefit plans offered by companies with more than 500 employees, 82 percent offered some coverage for autism diagnosis and treatment. The survey found that 36 percent covered behavioral health treatment, such as ABA, up from 32 percent the year before.
The companies that plan to cover the diagnosis and treatment of autism starting in 2015 are the following:
Amica Mutual Insurance Company: Headquartered in Lincoln, Rhode Island, Amica has nearly 3,200 employees. The company, founded in 1907, claims to be the oldest mutual insurance company for auto owners in the US This company offers a wide range of insurance products including marine, excess personal liability, homeowners of houses and automobiles.
Bank of America: Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, Bank of America is at no. 21 in the Fortune 500. Its 245,000 employees serve a wide range of clients, from individuals to giant corporations. In addition to banking, it offers asset management services, investment services, and a host of other financial and risk management services. Bank of America has 15,700 ATMs and 4,900 points of sale.
Georgia Energy: This Atlanta-based electrical utility has closed 8,310 employees and started in 1902 as a streetcar company. It has grown to be the largest utility company in the Southern Company electrical utility stable. The company serves more than two million customers in most of the state’s 159 counties.
Novartis: Novartis, a global pharmaceutical corporation headquartered in Switzerland, employs nearly 135,000 people worldwide. Formed in 1996 with the merger of Sandoz and Ciba-Geigy, the company makes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, as well as contact lenses, vaccines and veterinary health products.
rock holding: Ranked #293 on the Fortune 500, this Georgia company specializes in packaging and other paper products. Founded in 1898 in Nashville, Tennessee, the company’s 26,000 employees are spread throughout the world at Rock-Tenn’s 245 facilities.
TD bank: Formed in 2008 when Commerce Bank merged with TD Banknorth, New Jersey-based TD Bank provides various banking services to business, retail and small business customers throughout the eastern United States.
T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.: Founded in 1937, this investment firm provides subadvisory, segregated account management, and mutual fund services to a wide variety of organizations, corporations, and individuals. Through its more than 5,300 employees, the company offers financial guidance and investment planning tools.
Comcast: Comcast, the largest home Internet and cable service provider in the United States, is ranked 44th in the Fortune 500. Headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the company operates in 40 states as well as Washington, DC. It owns NBC Universal, Telemundo and also operates the Golf Channel, NBCSN, E! Entertainment Television and Universal Parks and Resorts.
Nike: The sportswear and footwear giant, ranked #115 on the Fortune 500, has nearly 44,000 employees at its headquarters and other locations around the world. Its trademark “swoosh” has become known around the world for the company’s excellence in sports equipment and apparel.
JetBlue Airlines: This New York-based airline will offer behavioral health treatment for autism among its benefits starting in July 2015 to its 15,000 employees. Ranked 466 in the Fortune 500, Jet Blue helps families affected by autism with its Blue Horizons for Autism program that it created in partnership with Autism Speaks. The program allows people with autism, as well as their families, to travel in a relaxed and welcoming environment.