New Orleans Rep. Aimee Freeman (D)
Beginning August 1st both Medicaid and private insurers are required to cover for the care or treatment of menopause and perimenopause in Louisiana. New Orlean Democrat Representative Aimee Freem said physicians asked her to sponsor the bill because even though many of the medications they prescribe are generic they were often rejected by Medicaid.
“And private insurance would say we’ll let you take the oral but not the gel, or vice versa. We should trust our doctors, they know what they’re doing they shouldn’t need prior authorization they should be able to give treatment to these women as needed,” said Freeman.
So, medications to treat symptoms like hot flashes, bone loss, and night sweats will be covered, and patients won’t have to wait for prior approval from their insurer.
While in committee Freeman said private insurance companies testified against the legislation because it’s a mandate.
“They had some arguments with me like ‘Oh we already cover this’ Well I’m like ok if you already cover it then you shouldn’t mind. So that was the only pushback I got, my colleagues were helpful all along the way,” said Freeman.
Freeman said she received bipartisan support for the bill. In committee, it was recommended that that requirement for private insurers be removed but when it reached the House floor, she said Representative Peter Egan added it back in.
“And then on the Senate floor, Senator Thomas Pressly decided we needed to make sure the prior authorization was not needed. So, he added a Senate floor amendment. So, the bill was strengthened by two of my Republican colleagues,” said Freeman.
Freeman said there’s been more research on how to treat menopausal side effects and women deserve to have that coverage. To read more about the new law click here.
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