HB 292 Alaska House · 34th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act relating to insurance coverage for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders; and providing for an effective date.

HB 292 requires Alaska health insurers to cover diagnosis, treatment, and prophylaxis for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders (PANDAS) and pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS). It mandates coverage for specific treatments including antimicrobials, behavioral therapies, immune-related medicines, plasma exchange, and IVIG therapy. The bill prohibits insurers from denying coverage based on prior treatment, using inconsistent guidelines for immune therapies, requiring "trial" therapies before approving immune treatments, or restricting care based on age or out-of-state availability. This directly affects families with children diagnosed with PANDAS/PANS and insurers offering health plans in Alaska, ensuring equitable coverage without discriminatory practices.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 4, 2026 Last action May 6, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

CSHB 292(HSS) CSHB 292(L&C) · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was transferred from the Health and Social Services Committee to the Labor and Commerce Committee, changing the offering date from March 18 to April 24. The most significant substantive change is the redefinition of 'nationally recognized clinical practice treatment guidelines' to require that standards be informed by evidence intended to optimize patient care, rather than relying on a specific research consortium. This broadens the criteria for insurers to follow when determining coverage for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders.
Scope change
The bill's scope regarding which guidelines insurers must follow was expanded by replacing a specific consortium reference with a broader definition of nationally recognized, evidence-based guidelines.
REQUIREMENT

The definition of required treatment guidelines was changed from those developed by a specific research consortium to any nationally recognized, evidence-based guidelines that optimize patient care.

TECHNICAL

The bill was re-referred from the House Health and Social Services Committee to the House Labor and Commerce Committee, altering the committee responsible for the legislation.

TIMELINE

The date the bill was officially offered was updated from March 18, 2026, to April 24, 2026.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
28
Key actions
2
Committee
4
Apr 27, 2026
Committee
(H) REFERRED TO FINANCE
lower
Apr 27, 2026
Committee
(H) FIN REFERRAL ADDED AFTER L&C
lower
Apr 22, 2026
Lower · Passed
(H) Moved CSHB 292(L&C) Out of Committee
lower
Mar 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
(H) Moved CSHB 292(HSS) Out of Committee
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors