Alabama HB 284 / Act 2017-337
Where: Alabama State Legislature When: 2017 regular session What: House Bill 284, enacted as Act 2017-337, amending the Code of Alabama 1975 Role: Lobbying and legislative advocacy
What the law does
Act 2017-337 requires health benefit plans in Alabama to cover the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder under certain conditions. Before its passage, an Alabama family with a child diagnosed with autism could be told that the therapies their child needed — including Applied Behavior Analysis — were not covered by their health plan, with little recourse. The Act changed that.
It was the kind of change that does not happen by accident. It happened because parents, providers, and advocacy organizations spent years building the case in front of the Alabama Legislature, and because lawyers worked alongside them to make sure the bill that finally passed would do what it promised.
Michael Braun was one of those lawyers.
Why insurance mandates matter for autism families
When a child is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, the next conversation is usually about therapy. Applied Behavior Analysis, speech therapy, occupational therapy, social skills programs — these are evidence-based interventions, and they are expensive. For most families, what makes them accessible or inaccessible is a single question: does the health plan cover them?
Before state autism insurance mandates began passing in the 2000s and 2010s, the default answer in most states was no, or only partially, or only with limits so low that the coverage was effectively unusable. Today the great majority of states have some form of autism insurance mandate on the books. The terms vary widely. Some mandates apply only to state-regulated plans and not to self-funded ERISA plans. Some have age caps. Some have dollar caps. Some are vigorously enforced; others are not.
Knowing the difference is the difference between getting a child the therapy they need and being told “I’m sorry, it isn’t covered.”
What the law cannot do
A state insurance mandate does not reach every health plan. ERISA-governed self-funded employer plans — the kind of plan many large private employers offer — are governed by federal law and are not subject to state insurance mandates. For families covered by self-funded plans, the path to coverage often runs through ERISA appeals, parity claims under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, or federal litigation rather than state insurance law.
That gap is part of why this practice exists. The cases that walk through the door are the ones the statute didn’t reach, or the ones where the insurer is not honoring the statute that should reach them.
What we do for families facing autism coverage denials
- State-regulated plans: enforce the state autism insurance mandate, including in Alabama, where the mandate Michael helped pass is now law.
- ERISA self-funded plans: internal and external appeals, parity claim development, and federal litigation when necessary.
- Medicaid: coverage determinations and fair hearings.
- Multi-state employers: identifying which legal regime actually controls a particular family’s plan.
Frequently asked questions
Does Alabama require health insurance to cover autism treatment?
Yes, under Act 2017-337 (formerly House Bill 284), Alabama law requires state-regulated health benefit plans to cover treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder under conditions defined by the statute. Not every plan in Alabama is subject to the law — federally regulated self-funded employer plans are governed by ERISA, not state insurance law.
What is “ABA” and is it covered?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based therapy commonly recommended for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Whether a specific health plan covers ABA depends on the plan, the state, and which federal or state laws apply.
My insurer denied my child’s ABA therapy. What can I do?
You can appeal — first through the plan’s internal appeal process, then often through an external review. If those steps don’t resolve the denial, depending on the plan there may be additional paths under ERISA, under state insurance law, or in federal court. The right path depends on the plan and the denial reason.
Do you handle autism insurance cases outside Alabama?
Yes. Michael represents families across Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama, and has experience with autism insurance matters across the Southeast.
How is a legislative advocacy “case” different from a court case?
A legislative case is about changing the rules themselves rather than winning under existing rules. It involves working with state legislators, advocacy organizations, families, and providers to draft, amend, and pass a bill. The “outcome” is a statute. The “client” is, in practical terms, every family who will benefit from the law going forward.
If you’re facing an autism coverage denial
Whether the plan is in Alabama, Tennessee, or Georgia, the first step is the same: read the denial letter carefully, get the policy language, and don’t miss the appeal deadline. There is no charge for an initial call with our office.
Call (615) 378-8942 to schedule a consultation.
Related practice areas
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This page describes legislative advocacy work and is for informational purposes; it does not constitute legal advice.