MILFORD, Conn. - s4story -- Many Connecticut health plans will have to cover new treatments starting January 1, 2027. Gov. Ned Lamont signed Public Act 26-33, which adds four coverage rules for individual and group policies, as laid out in the state's official bill summary (https://cga.ct.gov/2026/SUM/PDF/2026SUM00033-R0...).

The first is scalp cooling. These cap-style devices are used during chemotherapy to reduce hair loss, and FDA-approved versions have been shown to cut it down. Insurers that cover chemo will now have to cover them too. Hair loss is one more weight on top of cancer care, and some patients later explore options like scalp micropigmentation in Connecticut (https://scalpinkct.com/) once treatment is over.

The second rule covers prosthetic devices made for athletic use. That means limbs built for sports, not just daily walking. Lamont marked the law with an event at the University of Hartford's Hanger Clinic.

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Third, plans must cover treatment for PANDAS and PANS. These are rare conditions that can cause a sudden, severe onset of obsessive-compulsive behavior or eating problems in children. Coverage includes IVIG therapy. Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz backed the bill in written testimony and spoke about her own daughter's experience with the illness.

The fourth change widens the legal meaning of infertility. The new definition looks at more than one kind of medical history, so more people should qualify for covered diagnosis and treatment, including help such as in vitro fertilization.

Senate Insurance Committee chair Jorge Cabrera led the final vote in May, Senate Democrat (https://www.senatedems.ct.gov/senator-cabrera-votes-to-crack-down-on-contractor-theft-in-connecticut-9). The state's record lists the bill as signed on May 28.

The law also asks the Insurance Commissioner to study mandated coverage for other medical treatments and services. That could shape what insurers are asked to cover next.

For now, the new rules apply to policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027. Check your renewal date to see when your plan changes, and call your insurer if you have questions about a specific treatment.