Bill > SB892

This bill modifies the composition of the State Advisory Council on Health and Wellness by adding the Executive Director of the Maryland Commission for Women as a voting member and a representative with expertise in menopause evaluation and treatment, while slightly reducing the number of public members. It also mandates that health occupations boards, which require continuing education for license renewal, must grant at least two continuing education credits for every one hour of training on menopause and menopause-associated symptoms for licensees who evaluate and manage these conditions. Furthermore, the bill requires insurers and health maintenance organizations to cover the evaluation and management of menopause and its associated symptoms as determined by the treating healthcare provider, with this coverage requirement taking effect for policies, contracts, and plans issued, delivered, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027. The bill also tasks the Maryland Commission for Women with evaluating policy initiatives to improve health and economic security for individuals experiencing menopause, and the Department of Health with developing an action plan to increase access to menopause care through community health workers and evaluating methods to increase clinical education opportunities on menopause.