Aetna to pay $1.5M in settlement with Missouri

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Aetna Life Insurance Co. has agreed to pay a $1.5 million penalty after Missouri officials charged the company violated the state's laws on health coverage of autism, contraception and elective abortions.

Missouri Insurance Director John Huff announced the settlement Wednesday.

The state's insurance department says Aetna regularly covered elective abortions and sometimes provided coverage for contraceptives without allowing employers to opt out. Officials say Aetna also excluded coverage for autism spectrum disorders.

Missouri allows employers and employees to exclude coverage for contraceptives and bars coverage for elective abortions in standard health insurance policies. Treatment for autism spectrum disorders is to be covered.

The settlement also calls for Aetna to donate $250,000 to a Missouri organization focused on autism. Aetna is the sixth largest health insurance company in Missouri.