HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1776        FILED ON: 1/17/2019

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 990

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Carmine Lawrence Gentile

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to insurance coverage for PANDAS/PANS.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1776        FILED ON: 1/17/2019

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 990

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 572 OF 2017-2018.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court
(2019-2020)

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An Act relative to insurance coverage for PANDAS/PANS.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Chapter 32A of the General Laws, as amended by Chapter 403 of the Acts of 2014, is hereby amended by inserting after section 17K the following section:-

Section 17L. The commission shall provide to any active or retired employee of the commonwealth who is insured under the group insurance commission, coverage for treatment of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome. Said treatment shall include, but not be limited to, the use of Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy.

SECTION 2. Chapter 175 of the General Laws, as amended by Chapter 403 of the Acts of 2014, is hereby amended by inserting after section 47DD the following section:-

Section 47EE. Any policy, contract, agreement, plan or certificate of insurance issued, delivered or renewed within the commonwealth shall provide coverage for treatment of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome. Said treatment shall include, but not be limited to, the use of Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy.

SECTION 3. Chapter 176A of the General Laws, as amended by Chapter 403 of the Acts of 2014, is hereby amended by inserting after section 8EE the following section:-

Section 8FF. Any contract between a subscriber and a corporation under an individual or group hospital service plan delivered, issued or renewed within the commonwealth shall provide coverage for treatment of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome. Said treatment shall include, but not be limited to, the use of Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy.

SECTION 4. Chapter 176B of the General Laws, as amended by Chapter 403 of the Acts of 2014, is hereby amended by inserting after section 4FF the following section:-

Section 4GG. Any subscription certificate under an individual or group medical service agreement delivered, issued or renewed within the commonwealth shall provide coverage for treatment of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome. Said treatment shall include, but not be limited to, the use of Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy.

SECTION 5. Chapter 176G of the General Laws, as amended by Chapter 403 of the Acts of 2014, is hereby amended by inserting after section 4X the following section:-

Section 4Y. Any individual or group health maintenance contract shall provide coverage for treatment of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome. Said treatment shall include, but not be limited to, the use of Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy.