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Committee backs bill to require coverage for PANS and PANDAS treatments for children
Summary
Representative Scoggins presented House Bill 124 (LC5206603), which would require insurers and the State Health Benefit Plan to cover treatment for pediatric acute neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with strep infections (PANDAS).
Representative Scoggins presented House Bill 124 (LC5206603) to the Georgia House Insurance Committee and said the measure would require coverage for health-care services for pediatric acute neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS). "This bill relates to Title 33 and Title 45 relating to general provisions relative to insurance and the state employees health benefit plan," Representative Scoggins said.
Scoggins described PANDAS as a condition often triggered by strep throat and PANS as a broader post-infectious syndrome that can follow bacterial or viral infections, and said the conditions primarily affect children from about age 3 into their early teens. "The first initial test for PANDAS or PANS is called the Cunningham panel and it's about a thousand dollars for the test," Scoggins told the committee.
Members asked about insurer views and costs. The presenter said he had discussed the proposal with insurance providers and described it as "a very narrow, limited bill"; he said insurers indicated they had no objection. Representative Tom (first name given in the transcript as "Tom") commented that early detection and treatment could act as a form of preventive care that may reduce longer-term costs and disabilities.
Representative Scoggins said typical initial treatment often includes a round of antibiotics and in some cases ongoing treatment to manage symptoms. He told the committee he had personal experience: his granddaughter was diagnosed and treated after a multi-visit course of care. Scoggins also provided the bill's Legislative Counsel (LC) number as LC5206603.
Representative Scoggins moved that the committee pass the bill. The committee took a voice vote; members answered "Aye," and the chair declared the measure passed. No roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.
The bill references Title 33 (insurance statutes) and Title 45 (state employee benefits) as the code sections it would amend. Committee members did not propose amendments during the session; insurers' lack of objection was noted on the record.
