A new Maryland law requires health care providers to receive additional training on menopause and perimenopause while expanding insurance coverage for related care. It’s a change health officials say could improve treatment for women across the state, including in Montgomery County.
Educational Requirements for Doctors
Specifically, the new “menopause law” mandates the state medical licensing and certification boards require doctors and other healthcare professionals beyond OBGYNs complete at least two hours of continuing education for every one hour of training they receive on the stage of life when women’s reproductive cycles end — and the transitional stage that comes before it — in order to better care for patients and manage the symptoms associated with both conditions, such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, weight gain, difficulty concentrating and sleeplessness.
The law also requires insurers to cover the evaluation and management of menopause- and perimenopause-related conditions. This requirement includes private health insurance plans, nonprofit health service plans and HMOs.
Sponsors
State Senators Sara Love and Nancy J. King co-sponsored the bill with Senator Dawn Gile of Anne Arundel County serving as the lead sponsor. Love represents District 16, which includes Bethesda, Cabin John, Chevy Chase and Potomac. King represents District 39, which includes parts of Germantown, Clarksburg and Montgomery Village.
County Health Officer Speaks Up
Montgomery County’s Chief Health Officer Dr. Kisha Davis said she supports the legislation.
“In short, Maryland’s new ‘menopause law’ drastically improves menopause care for Montgomery County residents by removing insurance barriers, expanding provider expertise, and targeting underserved communities,” wrote Davis in an email to MCM Tuesday. “This will help incentivize healthcare professionals to pursue additional training in this area and residents benefit from more clinicians having the knowledge on how to recognize and manage symptoms related to menopause,” she said…