Medical assistance would cover menopause treatments with federal approval

Pennsylvania's Department of Human Services would cover hormonal and nonhormonal treatments for menopause symptoms. Eligible people enrolled in medical assistance would qualify for treatment of listed menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes, bone loss, and sleep problems. Coverage would require federal approval. Coverage would include all drugs, devices, and combination products approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration to treat menopause symptoms. Coverage would also include behavioral therapy to help people cope with symptoms and therapy for menopause caused by surgery to remove the uterus. The coverage requirement would take effect 30 days after the federal approval notice is published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

The Department of Human Services would seek federal permission through a change to the state's medical assistance plan or a waiver, if needed. Federal permission would concern medical assistance coverage of hormonal and nonhormonal treatments for menopause symptoms. If the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approves a necessary plan change or waiver, the Secretary of Human Services would send notice for publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. The approval-seeking and notice duties would take effect immediately upon enactment. The notice would appear in the next available Pennsylvania Bulletin issue.