When I arrived home similing broadly after last year's Art's For Autism Gala my teenager did not forgive me for not taking her.  This year I brought my daughter, Elizabeth.  The fashion show, the models, the beautiful clothes were right up her alley.  The autistic kids taking the stage to perform blew us both away.  It is a fundraiser like no other.  What a great event for the Northern Virginia Autism Society.  Next year, Elizabeth wants to be a model at the program.  

For parents and others navigating the education maze, on November 3, Attorney Pete Wright and Dr. Ruth Heitin are teaching a full day seminar on the ins and outs of the IEP process at George Mason University, Fairfax Campus.  Registration information and directions can be found on www.asnv.org.  Your day with Wright and Heitin includes a Continental Breakfast, Lunch, two Books and two CD Roms, all focused on advocating for and educating special needs children.   

On the legilsative front, Governor McDonnell signed the Autism Insurance Reform Bill into law on May 6, 2011.  The bill will cover children diagnosed with autism from ages 2-6 (but can continue after age 6), for an annual maximum benefit of $35,000.  Amendments that the Governor placed on the bill will add a licensure of Board Cerftified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) in Virginia by the Board of Medicine.    

The Autism Society of Virginia is sponsoring free workshops on this legislation.  The focus will be on how families can respond, and beat, a denial letter.  Call The Autism Society of Northern Virginia at 703-495-8444 for more information. 

Yesterday, those with a pre-existing condition, were out of luck when it came to health insurance.  Today, there is a Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP).

PCIP is an alternative for those who have a pre-existing condition or have been denied coverage because of poor health.  Government sponsored, it is limited to US Citizens, or those living here legally.  Applicants must be without health coverage for at least six months prior to applying.  The plan offers individual coverage only, so a spouse and children must apply individually.

PCIP enrolless can choose from three plan options with different levels of premiums, calendar year deductibles, prescription deductibles and prescription co-pays.  There is also an option in which an enrollee can open a tax exempt Health Savings Account where funds can be deposited and then withdrawn for medical expenses.

All three PCIP options pay for preventative care at 100%, so there is no deductible for routine preventative care which includes physicals, flu shots, mammograms and cancer screenings.  For other medical services, there is a reasonable deductible.  After reaching one of the deductibles offered in the three plans, members pay 20% of medical costs in network.  The maximum members pay out of pocket for covered expenses is $5,950 in network and $7,000 out of network.  There is no lifetime maximum cap on the amount the plan pays for member care.

I recently discovered this plan when I became guardian for someone who had been without health insurance for many years.  She was in the hospital with cancer.  No regular health insurance plan would cover her.  The PCIP program must cover her so long as she pays the monthly premium.  In comparison to many individual plans, the monthly premium is reasonable.

To lear more about theis Pre-Existing Condition Plan call 1-800-220-7898.  For information on the internet type: www.healthcare.gov or www.pciplan.com.