23 LC 33 9240
H. B. 140
- 1 -
House Bill 140
By: Representatives Hawkins of the 27
th
, Newton of the 127
th
, Cooper of the 45
th
, Bennett
of the 94
th
, and Dempsey of the 13
th
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 18 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia
1
Annotated, relating to the state employees' health insurance plan, so as to provide for a2
three-year pilot program to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric3
autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infection (PANDAS)4
and pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) under the state health benefit5
plan; to provide for agreements; to provide for an annual report; to provide for related6
matters; to provide for automatic repeal; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.7
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:8
SECTION 1.9
Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 18 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,10
relating to the state employees' health insurance plan, is amended by adding a new Code11
section to read as follows:12
"45-18-22.
13
(a) Subject to available funding, the department shall conduct a three-year pilot program14
beginning January 1, 2025, to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric15
autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infection (PANDAS)16 23 LC 33 9240
H. B. 140
- 2 -
and pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) under the state health benefit17
plan. Such diagnosis and treatment shall include, but shall not be limited to, the use of18
intravenous immune globulin therapy when such therapy is prescribed by a physician and19
is in keeping with the consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of PANDAS20
or PANS as published in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Participation in21
the pilot program shall be limited to no more than 100 individuals per year, to be selected22
in a manner determined by the department.23
(b) The department is authorized to enter into an agreement with a patient advocacy24
organization in order to create outreach materials for distribution to participating state25
health benefit plan general and subspecialist pediatric providers in this state informing such26
providers about the pilot and how to code claims for analysis by the department. Such27
agreement shall also provide funding for educational resources to be made available to such28
providers exemplifying how to recognize, diagnose, and treat PANDAS and PANS.29
(c) The department shall provide an initial report by December 31, 2025, and annually30
thereafter, to the chairpersons of the House Committee on Health and Human Services and31
the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Such report shall include, at a32
minimum:33
(1) The total number of participants in the pilot program;34
(2) The total number of claims;35
(3) The specific treatments covered in claims;36
(4) Total cost of claims; and37
(5) Number of providers.38
(d) This Code section shall stand repealed on December 31, 2028."39
SECTION 2.40
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.41