SACRAMENTO — Blue Shield of California and Anthem Blue Cross have agreed to cover the initial cost of autism therapy for a minimum of six months.

California regulators have been pressuring the health insurance carriers to pay for the initial treatment known as applied behavior analysis. The insurers had been resisting coverage.

Blue Shield and Anthem will cover HMO patient costs as long as the services are deemed “medically necessary.” Thousands of autistic California youngsters could now eligible for treatment.

The Los Angeles Times says Anthem and Blue Shield settled their dispute with the California Department of Managed Health Care to avoid penalties or other enforcement actions. The companies agreed to the settlements without admitting wrongdoing.

Blue Shield signed its agreement Monday and Anthem was expected to sign Friday.

——

Information from: Los Angeles Times, http://www.latimes.com