Bill > SB205

This bill requires health insurance policies in Georgia, including state employee health plans, to provide coverage for healthcare services related to Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) and Pediatric Acute Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS), effective July 1, 2025, for private insurance and January 1, 2026, for state employee plans. The bill defines these conditions as complex neurological disorders affecting children and adolescents, characterized by sudden onset of obsessive-compulsive behaviors, tics, or other neuropsychiatric symptoms, typically triggered by streptococcal infections in the case of PANDAS. The coverage must be based on nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines and include services for diagnosis, treatment, management, and ongoing monitoring. Importantly, the bill mandates that these services be subject to the same deductibles and cost-sharing as other medical services, and prohibits insurers from imposing special or additional financial burdens specifically for PANDAS or PANS treatments. The legislation aims to ensure that children with these challenging neurological conditions receive appropriate and accessible healthcare services.

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https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70477