Bill > SB887

This bill establishes the "Missouri Lyme Disease Eradication Act", which creates comprehensive provisions for addressing Lyme disease in the state. The bill requires the Department of Health and Senior Services to add Lyme disease to its list of reportable communicable diseases and mandates that healthcare providers, laboratories, and local health departments report confirmed or suspected Lyme disease cases within seven days of diagnosis. The legislation creates a dedicated "Lyme Research and Eradication Fund" to support research into Lyme disease diagnostics, treatments, and eradication strategies, with a requirement that at least 20% of funds be used for rural county efforts. Health insurance carriers must now provide coverage for Lyme disease diagnostics and treatments, including extended antibiotic therapy and supportive therapies, without imposing restrictive prior authorization or step therapy requirements. The bill also protects healthcare providers from disciplinary action for treating Lyme disease within their professional scope and requires annual reporting on Lyme disease incidence, prevalence, and insurance claims. The definition of Lyme disease is comprehensive, covering multiple bacterial species transmitted by ticks, and the bill emphasizes collaboration with universities and protection of patient privacy in disease surveillance efforts.

Health and Social Services

https://www.senate.mo.gov/26info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=325