H.B. No. 359 Summary

• Designates October 9 as "PANDAS and PANS Awareness Day" to recognize pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS) and pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS).

• Requires all health benefit plans issued, delivered, or renewed on or after the effective date to provide coverage for screening, diagnosis, and treatment of PANDAS and PANS without step therapy protocols or prior authorization requirements.

• Mandates coverage of comprehensive diagnostic evaluations, immunomodulatory therapies (immunoglobulin infusions, corticosteroids, plasmapheresis, rituximab), antimicrobial treatments, and therapeutic services from licensed speech, occupational, and physical therapists.

• Prohibits cost-sharing requirements for PANDAS and PANS coverage that are less favorable than cost-sharing for other medical and surgical benefits, and prevents coverage from being contingent on symptom severity thresholds or immunodeficiency status.

• Extends the same coverage requirements to the Ohio Medicaid program, with a provision making requirements inoperative if federal law requires the state to defray costs.