CALIFORNIA Took a Stand
Now It’s Time for the Rest of the Nation to Follow
PANS/PANDAS: A National Movement for Medical Access

From Misunderstood to Recognized

PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) and PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) were once widely overlooked by the medical community. Today, they are gaining long-overdue national recognition. Leading institutions, including UCLA, Harvard, Yale, Georgetown, Columbia, Stanford, and now Tufts Medicine, are advancing research, awareness, and understanding of these debilitating conditions. Growing research also supports the potential role of IVIG as a treatment option for appropriately selected patients.

California Leads with Aidan’s Law (AB 2105)

On January 1, 2025, California's AB 2105, known as Aidan's Law, took effect, requiring state-regulated health insurance plans to cover medically necessary diagnosis and treatment of PANS/PANDAS.

This includes IVIG when medically necessary, helping remove insurance barriers for children who need treatment beyond first-tier therapies such as antibiotics, NSAIDs, and corticosteroids.

A significant milestone for California families and access to care.

The Science Is Advancing

PANS/PANDAS can transform a child's life almost overnight. Infections and abnormal immune responses may trigger neuro-inflammation, including in the basal ganglia, resulting in sudden, debilitating neuropsychiatric and physical symptoms. A once-happy, thriving child may suddenly experience severe anxiety, OCD, tics, rage, depression, eating restrictions, sleep disturbances, and loss of motor skills.

Recognition continues to grow, with research and guidance from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), and classification references within the World Health Organization's ICD-11 system. For affected families, this is a life-altering medical crisis demanding early recognition, compassionate care, and timely treatment. These children deserve to be seen, believed, and treated.

The Growing Movement for Insurance Coverage

While states including Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Virginia have taken legislative steps to improve access to PANS/PANDAS care, significant gaps remain nationwide. An estimated 33 states still lack specific insurance coverage mandates, leaving countless families struggling to obtain medically necessary treatment. A child's access to care should never depend on their ZIP code.

View the state legislation tracker