(AP) -- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has announced plans to offer coverage for some autism treatments focused on intensive early intervention. The insurer said Monday the new benefit option would cover children aged 2 to 5 who use a treatment called applied behavioral analysis.

If approved by state regulators the option would be available to buy starting in July for customer groups that already have outpatient mental health coverage.

Blue Cross was sued over its previous refusal to cover similar treatments. Many insurers in Michigan don't cover autism treatments.

Michigan Democrats have introduced bills in the state Legislature that would require more coverage for autism treatments.

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