State autism insurance mandates: check your plan

A state mandate is one part of the coverage question

Ask whether the plan is insured or self-funded and which regulator is responsible. State law, federal requirements and written benefits can all matter. Do not infer coverage from a state map or the name on an insurance card.

Florida's mandate

Florida's autism mandate applies to specified state-regulated large-group plans and the state employee program. Individual and small-employer plans are excluded from this mandate, although other coverage requirements may apply.

The statute covers a person under 18, or age 18 or older in high school, diagnosed with a developmental disability at age 8 or younger. It addresses screening and prescribed speech, occupational, physical and ABA therapies under its conditions.

Source: Florida Statutes, section 627.6686, checked September 12, 2026.

Do not treat statutory base figures as a benefit quote

The statute lists $36,000 annually and $200,000 over a lifetime, with annual medical-inflation adjustments to the maximum benefit. Other coverage and federal protections can affect whether a limit may be used. UNVERIFIED: the current adjusted figures and applicability to an individual plan. Ask for the written terms and basis for any proposed limit.

Sources: Florida statute, Florida insurance overview and CMS parity overview.

Other states

This September 12, 2026 review does not establish current age limits, dollar figures or plan exclusions for the other states. Check the official insurance department and statute for the policy's issuing state. Older summaries may help locate a law but do not verify its current requirements.

Use the [insurance kit](/insurance#self-funded) to prepare your questions.