THHSC | August 15, 2016
“Zika can cause severe birth defects in unborn children whose mothers are infected while pregnant.”
AUSTIN – Eligible Texas women on Medicaid can go straight to their pharmacist to pick up mosquito repellent, Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Charles Smith announced today. Texas Medicaid has issued a standing order for mosquito repellent prescriptions for women who are between the ages of 10 and 45 or pregnant.
Texas is the first state in the nation to implement such an order to slow the spread of the Zika virus. Eligible patients no longer need to call or visit their doctor for a prescription for mosquito repellent.
“This is another step in our comprehensive plan to protect Texas women and their unborn children from the Zika virus,†Commissioner Smith said. “For this benefit to be truly effective, it is imperative to make insect repellent as easily and widely available as possible.”
The standing order will ensure obtaining repellent is easier for eligible women and also allow Texas Medicaid to fulfill the requirement of a doctor’s prescription for all over-the-counter products set forth by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Zika can cause severe birth defects in unborn children whose mothers are infected while pregnant. Read More…