Bill > H5303

This bill establishes a special legislative commission on perimenopause and menopause care to study and assess data, access to care, and coverage for related treatments, with a goal of improving awareness, access, education, and health outcomes. The Department of Public Health will develop and distribute public information on perimenopause and menopause, including various treatment options and culturally responsive supports, and will also coordinate research and develop educational materials for healthcare workers. Additionally, the bill designates September as Perimenopause Awareness Month and October as Menopause Awareness Month, mandates that state employee health insurance and MassHealth (Medicaid) provide coverage for perimenopause and menopause therapies without restrictive utilization controls like prior authorization, and requires physicians, physician assistants, and nurses to complete a one-time continuing education course on diagnosing and treating perimenopause and menopause. Furthermore, it amends employment laws to prohibit discrimination based on reproductive health, including perimenopause and menopause, and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for these conditions, with specific provisions for employers to demonstrate undue hardship. Finally, the bill ensures that various types of insurance policies, including those from hospital service plans, medical service agreements, and health maintenance organizations, will cover perimenopause and menopause therapies and prohibits overly restrictive utilization controls for these treatments.