Illinois is the first state in the country to do this. Yeah us!

House Bill 3435 takes effect Jan. 1, 2020.

From USA TODAY:

This week Illinois became the first state to shift the burden of paying for a potentially life-saving shot of an epinephrine injection for children from parents to insurance companies. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed a law that would require companies offering health insurance policies in the state to pay for medically-necessary epinephrine injectors for cases of severe allergic reactions for those 18 and younger.

An epinephrine injector, used during an anaphylactic attack, delivers a dose of epinephrine, or adrenaline that minimizes swelling and opens airways.

Schools and parents have been gouged with price increases that put the cost of one auto injector around $700, and these devices can expire from safe use in as little as 6-12 months. 12% of children in the US suffer from life threatening allergies, making the use of EPIPENS to be common place.

HB 3435 also aims to help with expanded insurance coverage for those suffering from Lyme disease. That law, which takes effect immediately, will require insurance companies to cover office visits, testing and treatment for tick-borne diseases.

Susan Saunders 8/16/19