Insurance coverage required for certain pediatric disorders

Lawmakers passed a bill April 10 that requires Nebraska insurers to cover treatments for two related pediatric autoimmune disorders that manifest as mental health disorders.

LB762, sponsored by Lincoln Sen. George Dungan, requires coverage of treatment for pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS), a subset of PANS.

Required PANS/PANDAS treatments must be recommended by the patient’s licensed physician and include, but are not limited to, antibiotics, medication and behavioral therapies to manage neuropsychiatric symptoms, plasma exchange and immunoglobulin.

LB762 passed on a 45-4 vote and takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.