§15–855.

    (a)    This section applies to:

        (1)    insurers and nonprofit health service plans that provide hospital, medical, or surgical benefits to individuals or groups on an expense–incurred basis under health insurance policies or contracts that are issued or delivered in the State; and

        (2)    health maintenance organizations that provide hospital, medical, or surgical benefits to individuals or groups under contracts that are issued or delivered in the State.

    (b)    An entity subject to this section shall provide coverage for medically necessary diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome, including the use of intravenous immunoglobulin therapy.

    (c)    (1)    Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the coverage required under this section may be subject to the annual deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance requirements imposed by an entity subject to this section for similar coverages under the same health insurance policy or contract.

        (2)    The annual deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance requirements imposed under paragraph (1) of this subsection for the coverage required under this section may not be greater than the annual deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance requirements imposed by the entity for similar coverages.

    (d)    (1)    Except as provided for in paragraph (2) of this subsection, pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome shall be coded as autoimmune encephalitis for billing and diagnosis purposes.

        (2)    If the American Medical Association and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services create and assign a specific code for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections or pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome for billing and diagnosis purposes, pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome may be coded as:

            (i)    autoimmune encephalitis;

            (ii)    pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections; or

            (iii)    pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome.