The bill amends several sections of the General Laws in Rhode Island to mandate coverage for the treatment of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome. This coverage is required for all group health insurance contracts and policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2023. The bill specifies that this includes treatments such as intravenous immunoglobulin therapy.

Additionally, it clarifies that the healthcare benefits apply to services delivered within Rhode Island, but coverage must also be provided outside the state if necessary services are unavailable within the state. The bill removes the previous sunset provision that would have repealed this coverage on December 31, 2025, thereby ensuring that the mandated coverage remains in effect indefinitely.

It also updates the terminology from "immunoglobin" to "immunoglobulin" for accuracy. The bill retains provisions for a cost-benefit analysis and reporting requirements that were present in the previous law, requiring each health insurance carrier to collect and provide information and data reflecting the costs and savings of the added benefit coverage. The office of the health insurance commissioner is tasked with reporting to the General Assembly a cost-benefit analysis of the implementation of the benefit coverage by January 1, 2025. This act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
5625: 27-18-90, 27-19-82, 27-20-78, 27-41-95
5625  SUB A: 27-18-90, 27-19-82, 27-20-78, 27-41-95