This bill amends Title 40 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to introduce a new chapter, CHAPTER 44, which focuses on school-based services. It establishes legislative findings that emphasize the importance of providing health care services, including mental health services, within school settings to maximize educational opportunities for students. The chapter outlines definitions, insurance coverage requirements for health care services provided in schools, permitted exclusions, coordination of benefits, and administrative procedures. Specifically, it prohibits health insurance policies from excluding coverage for medically necessary services based solely on the fact that they are provided in a school setting.

Additionally, the bill amends existing provisions regarding telemedicine to ensure that health insurance policies provide coverage for medically necessary services delivered through telemedicine, without exclusions based on the service being provided remotely. It clarifies that insurers are not required to reimburse for services mandated by federal or state law to be provided by school entities, including those outlined in individualized education programs. The act is set to take effect immediately, with specific provisions regarding the applicability of the new regulations based on the filing of insurance policies.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 1897 (Jun 10, 2025): P.L.682, No.284