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SB 518

Insurance; health benefit policy coverage for medically necessary treatments of alopecia universalis; require

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Shawn Still

Georgia bill requires health insurers to cover medically necessary treatments for alopecia universalis, expanding coverage for rare autoimmune hair loss condition.

Senate Read and Referred
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Bill Summary · SB 518

Legislative bill overview

SB 518 would require health insurance plans in Georgia to cover medically necessary treatments for alopecia universalis, a rare autoimmune condition causing complete hair loss. The bill mandates insurance coverage for therapies deemed medically necessary by healthcare providers treating this condition.

Why is this important

Alopecia universalis can have significant psychological and social impacts on patients, and treatment costs can be prohibitively expensive without insurance coverage. This bill addresses a coverage gap that may leave patients without financial access to available medical treatments for a legitimate medical condition.

Potential points of contention

  • Insurance cost impact: Insurers may argue that mandating coverage increases premiums for all policyholders, even for treatments of a rare condition affecting relatively few people
  • Definition of "medically necessary": Disputes could arise over which treatments qualify as medically necessary versus cosmetic, as hair loss treatments exist on a spectrum of medical necessity
  • State vs. federal authority: Questions about whether state-level insurance mandates conflict with federal health insurance regulations or create competitive disadvantages for Georgia insurers

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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