Bill > HB1848

This bill mandates comprehensive therapy coverage for children under 21 years old through health insurance policies and government programs, requiring insurers to provide medically necessary physical, occupational, and speech therapy without annual visit limits or deductibles. The legislation establishes the Children's Therapies Medical Assistance Savings Account, which will capture cost savings from reduced managed care organization capitation rates and reinvest those funds to increase therapy service reimbursement rates or offset increased costs in children's health insurance programs. The bill defines key terms like "medically necessary" and specifies that therapy coverage cannot be contingent on inclusion in an individualized education program, though coordination with such programs is permitted with parental consent. The new requirements will apply to health insurance policies either filed or renewed within 180 days of the law's effective date, with the law taking effect 90 days after passage. Notably, the bill excludes certain types of insurance policies from these requirements, such as accident-only, credit, long-term care, and specialty policies, focusing instead on comprehensive health insurance plans.

Health and Social Services

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1848