Families urge coverage for PANS/PANDAS treatments as subcommittee hears House Bill 124

Representative Mitchell Scoggins brought House Bill 124 before the Life and Health subcommittee to request coverage under the State Health Benefit Plan for services and treatments for pediatric acute‑onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS).

"This bill would . . . require coverage for health care services for PANS and PANDAS in the state employee health insurance plan," Representative Mitchell Scoggins said, outlining the bill’s scope and noting the measure would affect Title 33 and Title 45 provisions referenced in the draft language.

Family members and clinicians told the subcommittee that delayed diagnosis and denials by insurers leave families to pay large out‑of‑pocket costs for specialty treatments such as intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and, in some cases, ozone…