This 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. The amendments specify that every group health insurance contract or policy issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2023, must include this coverage, which encompasses treatments such as intravenous immunoglobulin therapy.

The bill removes the sunset provision that would have repealed this coverage on December 31, 2025, thereby ensuring that the mandated coverage remains in effect indefinitely. Additionally, it eliminates the requirement for these disorders to be coded as autoimmune encephalitis for billing and diagnosis purposes until a specific code is created by the American Medical Association and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The act is set to take effect upon passage.

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