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AB 482

Revises provisions relating to Medicaid. (BDR 38-809)

2025 Regular Session

Medicaid expands and clarifies coverage for contraception and related services, includes pharmacist reimbursement parity, and funds language translation to support access.

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Bill Summary · AB 482

AB 482 — Summary (Medicaid: family‑planning and translation services)

Status: Enacted (Governor approved Oct 11, 2025; chaptered Oct 11, 2025 as Chapter 614, Statutes of 2025)
Introduced: Feb 10, 2025 (committee version dated Mar 24, 2025)
Primary subject: Revision of the State Medicaid (State Plan for Medicaid) coverage for contraceptive/family‑planning services and payment for language translation services. (BDR 38‑809)

Purpose

To expand and clarify Medicaid coverage for contraceptive and related clinical services, to ensure reimbursement parity for pharmacists and other qualified providers, and to require Medicaid payment for language translation services that facilitate provision of covered contraceptive services.

Key provisions

  • Coverage expansions required in the State Plan for Medicaid:
    • Up to a 12‑month supply, per prescription, of any FDA‑approved contraceptive drug (or therapeutic equivalent) dispensed in accordance with state law.
    • Coverage of FDA‑approved contraceptive devices and self‑administered hormonal contraceptives dispensed by pharmacists.
    • Insertion or removal of contraceptive devices (including immediate postpartum insertion).
    • Contraceptive injections (including immediate postpartum).
    • Education, counseling, management of side effects, and follow‑up related to initiation and monitoring of contraception.
    • Voluntary sterilization for men (in addition to existing coverage for women).
    • Any clinical services related to the drugs, devices, and services above, including monitoring and follow‑up.
  • Provider and setting flexibility:
    • Reimbursement required when services are performed by any health‑care provider for whom the service is within that provider’s scope of practice, training, and experience.
    • Coverage applies regardless of inpatient or outpatient setting.
  • Pharmacist reimbursement parity:
    • Medicaid must reimburse pharmacists for covered family‑planning services to the same extent as if provided by other health‑care providers, and must not limit number of occasions or reimburse less than physicians/APPs for similar services.
  • Cost‑sharing and utilization rules:
    • Recipients must not be subject to higher deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, longer waiting periods, or other conditions to obtain these benefits—subject to specified therapeutic‑equivalent exceptions.
    • For each FDA‑approved method of contraception, the Plan must include at least one contraceptive drug or device with no deductible, copayment, or coinsurance.
    • Prior authorization may not be required for (a) up to 12‑month supplies and (c) pharmacist‑dispensed self‑administered hormonal contraceptives.
  • Language translation services:
    • The State must pay the nonfederal share of expenditures for language translation services provided to facilitate provision of the covered contraceptive drugs, devices, and services.
    • The Division of Health Care Financing and Policy must develop a methodology establishing a cost‑effective compensation rate for translation services that is comparable to rates paid by other governmental entities.
  • Effective dates:
    • Provisions for regulatory preparation effective upon passage and approval.
    • Substantive coverage requirements effective January 1, 2026.

Who is affected

  • Medicaid enrollees in the state (expanded access to contraceptive options and related clinical services).
  • Health‑care providers (physicians, advanced practice clinicians, pharmacists, hospitals)—broader ability to provide and be reimbursed for covered services within scope of practice.
  • Department of Health and Human Services / Division of Health Care Financing and Policy (administration, rate‑setting for translation services).
  • State budget: fiscal note indicates an effect on the State (nonfederal share obligations). No direct effect on local government.

Procedural/fiscal notes and public comment

  • Fiscal note: State fiscal impact (amount not specified in summary documents).
  • Public testimony includes opposition citing concerns about expanding sterilization and contraceptive coverage in publicly funded insurance and potential costs.
  • The law was enacted and will begin full effect on January 1, 2026 (with administrative prep powers effective immediately).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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