Stricken language would be deleted from and underlined language would be added to present law.
Act 637 of the Regular Session
1 State of Arkansas As Engrossed: S3/9/21
2 93rd General Assembly A Bill
3 Regular Session, 2021 SENATE BILL 387
4
5 By: Senators K. Hammer, Irvin
6 By: Representatives Warren, Cloud
7
8 For An Act To Be Entitled
9 AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE OFF-LABEL USE OF DRUG TREATMENTS
10 TO TREAT MEDICAID BENEFICIARIES DIAGNOSED WITH
11 PEDIATRIC ACUTE-ONSET NEUROPSYCHIATRIC SYNDROME AND
12 PEDIATRIC AUTOIMMUNE NEUROPSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
13 ASSOCIATED WITH STREPTOCOCCAL INFECTION; AND FOR
14 OTHER PURPOSES.
15
16
17 Subtitle
18 TO AUTHORIZE OFF-LABEL USE OF DRUG
19 TREATMENTS TO TREAT MEDICAID
20 BENEFICIARIES WITH PEDIATRIC ACUTE-ONSET
21 NEUROPSYCHIATRIC SYNDROME AND PEDIATRIC
22 AUTOIMMUNE NEUROPSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
23 ASSOCIATED WITH STREPTOCOCCAL INFECTION.
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26 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS:
27
28 SECTION 1. Arkansas Code Title 20, Chapter 77, Subchapter 1, is
29 amended to add an additional section to read as follows:
30 20-77-140. Off-label use of drug treatment to treat pediatric acute-
31 onset neuropsychiatric syndrome and pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric
32 disorders associated with streptococcal infection.
33 (a) The General Assembly finds that:
34 (1) Pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome, also known
35 as PANS, is a clinically defined disorder characterized by the sudden onset
36 of obsessive-compulsive symptoms or eating restrictions, accompanied by two
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 As Engrossed: S3/9/21 SB387
1 (2) or more symptoms of acute behavioral deterioration or motor and sensory
2 changes, or both;
3 (2) Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated
4 with streptococcal infections, also known as PANDAS, is a term used to
5 describe a subset of symptoms affecting children and adolescents within the
6 broader PANS classification;
7 (3) Other state Medicaid programs provide coverage for off-label
8 use of drug treatments to treat pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric
9 syndrome and pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with
10 streptococcal infections; and
11 (4) However, the Arkansas Medicaid Program does not provide
12 coverage for off-label use of drug treatments, to treat Medicaid
13 beneficiaries who are diagnosed with pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric
14 syndrome and pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with
15 streptococcal infections.
16 (b) The Arkansas Medicaid Program shall provide coverage for off-label
17 use of drug treatments, including without limitation intravenous
18 immunoglobulin, also known as "IVIG", to treat Medicaid beneficiaries who are
19 diagnosed with pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome or pediatric
20 autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal
21 infections, or both, under a treatment plan established by the Postinfectious
22 Autoimmune Encephalopathy Center of Excellence clinic in Arkansas.
23 (c) The Department of Human Services shall apply for any federal
24 waiver, state plan amendment, or other authorization necessary to implement
25 this section.
26
27 /s/K. Hammer
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30 APPROVED: 4/12/21
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