SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois Senate Insurance Committee approved legislation Tuesday night to require private insurance companies cover seizure detection devices.

There are currently multiple devices approved by the Food & Drug Administration to alert people of oncoming or ongoing seizures. 

Sponsors said these tools could cost between $250 to $2,000. 

This proposal would require group insurance companies to provide coverage for medically-necessary devices with a maximum cost-sharing amount of $50 per year. The measure also bans insurers from requiring prior authorization to obtain the devices.

"These FDA-cleared seizure monitoring devices and detecting devices detect seizures in real time," said Dave Manning with the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago. "They alert caregivers to intervene, reducing the cost of hospitalization, emergency room visits and most importantly saving lives."

Yet, the Illinois Life and Health Insurance Council opposes the current bill language. ILHIC President Laura Minzer said it is difficult to see how private insurers can cover the cost if the state cannot absorb the price in its own health plan.

"It does raise eyebrows when one of the larger payers, including the state group health, has been exempted out for reasons of cost," Minzer said. "So, that means those costs will be borne by small employers, other large employers, some of the individual plans, although HMOs are out of this, local governments, and schools as well."

Senate Bill 2762 passed out of the Senate Insurance Committee on a 9-1 vote. It now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration.

"Expanding access to these devices is a critical step to ensuring longer and healthier lives for everyone," said Sen. Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest). "By requiring coverage through health insurance plans, we're creating new pathways for those who suffer from a seizure disorder to get the care they deserve." 

Copyright 2026. WAND TV. All rights reserved.