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Committee approves code changes for PANS/PANDAS to help TennCare providers identify and treat condition
Summary
An amended House Bill 411 that adds codes for PANS and PANDAS to TennCare passed the Insurance Committee and moves to Calendar and Rules after sponsors said the codes will help physicians identify the disorder and route patients to appropriate treatment.
The House Insurance Committee voted to advance an amended House Bill 411 that would add diagnostic and billing codes in TennCare for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections, commonly referred to as PANS/PANDAS.
Sponsor Chair Liddy Lin told the committee the bill seeks to recognize PANS and PANDAS as medical, not solely psychiatric, conditions and to add codes so that physicians who suspect the disorders can investigate and follow a clear path for treatment and billing. "It is a medical condition, not a psychiatric condition," Lin said during her explanation.
A constituent and family members attended to put a face to the condition; the sponsor said having codes on TennCare would reduce confusion among clinicians and families and make treatment pathways clearer.
The committee attached Amendment 5,243 to the bill and then voted. The clerk recorded 12 ayes, 0 nays; House Bill 411 moves to Calendar and Rules.
Committee discussion was limited to the medical nature of the condition and the practical effect of adding codes to TennCare's billing system; no fiscal notes were addressed in this session.
