Delaware to Become First State in America to Ensure Developmental Screening for Infants and Toddlers

New Law to Take Effect Next Week

For Immediate Release: Monday, November 16, 2009

Dover - Lieutenant Governor Matthew P. Denn announced today that on November 25th, Delaware would become the first state in America to require insurance carriers to cover medically appropriate developmental screening tests for children between birth and the age of three. The purpose of this new law, which Denn discussed during remarks at the Delaware State Council for Persons with Disabilities annual luncheon, is to dramatically increase the number of children whose developmental delays are detected at a very young age when they can be successfully treated.

"Early detection is the linchpin of successfully treating children with developmental issues," Denn said. "For kids covered by private health insurance, this change in the law is expected to double the number who we successfully diagnose with developmental delays at a very young age."

The change in Delaware law is a result of House Bill 199, which was signed by the Governor last August but allowed a 90 day period for insurance companies to prepare for its implementation. House Bill 199 was written by Lieutenant Governor Denn, State Representative Terry Schooley, and State Senator Patricia Blevins, and was part of the Lieutenant Governor's "Kids Agenda" this year.

"Expanded screening has been a priority for both early childhood education advocates and disabilities advocates for a number of years," Denn said at the luncheon. "It is very exciting that in just a few days, kids will actually start to receive these screenings."

Denn's office will also be attempting to ensure that pediatricians and family doctors are aware of this new insurance coverage, so that they will be sure to administer the developmental screens at appropriate ages.