Cognoa’s AI-based child autism diagnostic is now available as a covered benefit under Wyoming Medicaid.
The US-based paediatric behavioural health company’s Cognoa Dx diagnostic, which uses data collection and AI to aid in the clinical evaluation of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), gained de novo clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2021 for ASD diagnosis in children aged 18 months to six years.
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Canvas Dx, which is not intended for use as a standalone diagnostic but as a supplement, can now be prescribed by healthcare professionals in Wyoming, including primary care clinicians, as a telehealth or in-person experience under the Medicaid programme.
“We are thrilled that Wyoming Medicaid is taking this important step to support earlier autism diagnosis for its children through Canvas Dx,” said Cognoa CEO Dr Sharief Taraman.
“The US healthcare system has long struggled to adequately support children at risk of developmental delay, leaving many families without the services they need and deserve.”
With Canvas Dx as a covered benefit, Cognoa claims it will be easier for Wyoming families to get an evaluation and autism diagnosis for their children if they have early developmental concerns.
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By GlobalDataResearch has found that in Wyoming and other US states, autism remains under-detected. The condition has an average diagnosis age of five years in the US, compared to 6.1 years in Wyoming. A reliable ASD diagnosis is generally possible at 18 months. Families in Wyoming can travel up to 224 miles for an autism evaluation for their child.
Based on diagnosis statistics and published costs, it is estimated that increased access to earlier autism diagnosis may save Wyoming Medicaid a minimum of $2.8m annually.
Dr James Bush, former Medicaid medical director at the Wyoming Department of Health, commented: “This trailblazing effort not only optimises the state’s healthcare resources but also demonstrates fiscal foresight, as access to early diagnosis and the right subsequent support can substantially reduce long-term healthcare costs.”
According to GlobalData analysts, autism that remains undiagnosed for an extended period can result in delayed language and social skill development, which can have long-term consequences for a child’s quality of life.
Elsewhere in autism, Agilent recently received Class C Certification under the EU’s In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR) for its GenetiSure Dx Postnatal Assay, which helps clinical geneticists detect genetic anomalies such as autism earlier and more accurately than traditional methods.
