Vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that requires insurance coverage for medically necessary menopause treatments and requires physicians to complete menopause-specific continuing medical education in California.

Highlights:

• Requires qualifying physicians and surgeons who complete continuing medical education courses in perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopausal care to receive 2 hours of credit for each hour completed of that coursework (Sec. 1).

• Repeals the requirement for the Medical Board of California to consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health in its continuing education requirements (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that the credit described above applies to coursework completed by osteopathic physicians and surgeons (Sec. 3).

• Requires health care service plans or health insurance policies that cover prescription drugs to include coverage for evaluation and treatment options for symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, starting January 1, 2026 (Sec. 4).

• Requires health care service plans or health insurers to annually provide clinical care recommendations for hormone therapy to all contracted primary care providers who treat individuals with perimenopause and menopause (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that requires insurance coverage for medically necessary menopause treatments and requires physicians to complete menopause-specific continuing medical education in California.

Highlights:

• Requires qualifying physicians and surgeons who complete continuing medical education courses in perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopausal care to receive 2 hours of credit for each hour completed of that coursework (Sec. 1).

• Repeals the requirement for the Medical Board of California to consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health in its continuing education requirements (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that the credit described above applies to coursework completed by osteopathic physicians and surgeons (Sec. 3).

• Requires health care service plans or health insurance policies that cover prescription drugs to include coverage for evaluation and treatment options for symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, starting January 1, 2026 (Sec. 4).

• Requires health care service plans or health insurers to annually provide clinical care recommendations for hormone therapy to all contracted primary care providers who treat individuals with perimenopause and menopause (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text