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. Significantly, the bill removes the previous sunset provision that would have repealed this coverage on December 31, 2025, thereby ensuring that the mandated coverage remains in effect indefinitely.

The bill also updates the terminology from "immunoglobin" to "immunoglobulin" for accuracy. Provisions for a cost-benefit analysis and reporting requirements that were present in the previous law have been deleted. This act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
473: 27-18-90, 27-19-82, 27-20-78, 27-41-95