Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
In Deal With N.Y. Attorney General, Insurers To Start Covering Hep C Drugs Regardless Of Condition's Severity
Seven health-insurance companies in New York will change their criteria for covering costly drugs that cure chronic hepatitis C under the terms of agreements with the office of State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. The agreements, expected to be announced Tuesday, require the insurers to cover hepatitis C medications for nearly all patients who have commercial insurance plans in the state. (Ramey, 4/25)
New York state will soon require health insurers to cover depression screening for pregnant women and new mothers. The move follows a recommendation from a federal panel that insurers cover maternal depression screening without a co-pay or deductible. (4/25)
Elsewhere, in Ohio, a county begins covering sex reassignment surgery for its workers —
A Franklin County employee making a gender transition might have saved for months or years before coming up with enough money to pay for a mastectomy or sex reassignment surgery. Cost estimates vary, but they can stretch well into the thousands of dollars. Now, though, those employees can hand their doctors an insurance card. It’s covered. (Rouan, 4/26)
