PART VIII. MENOPAUSAL CARE COVERAGE

§1259.1. Menopausal care; Medicaid coverage

            A. The Louisiana Department of Health shall make available to persons who are eligible for Medicaid benefits under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq., coverage benefits for hormonal care for any woman who is experiencing menopausal or perimenopausal symptoms.

            B. The symptoms for which such funding shall be made available include but are not limited to the following:

            (1) Irregular menstrual periods.

            (2) Hot flashes.

            (3) Vaginal or bladder problems.

            (4) Decrease in fertility.

            (5) Loss of bone.

            (6) Increase in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.

            (7) Sleep disruption, which includes night sweats.

            C. For the purposes of this Part, the following definitions apply:

            (1) "Menopause" means the permanent cessation of menstruation due to loss of ovarian follicular function. During menopause, ovaries stop releasing eggs and the body produces less estrogen and progesterone.

            (2) "Perimenopause" means the transition period in which a woman is near the end of her reproductive years or at the onset of menopause.

            D. The Louisiana Department of Health may seek approval of a federal Medicaid waiver and state plan amendments as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this Section.

            Acts 2024, No. 784, §2.