Menopause.

Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan's menopause care legislation establishes new requirements for medical education and insurance coverage of menopause-related healthcare in California. The bill creates a double-credit incentive for physicians and osteopathic doctors who complete continuing education in perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopausal care, allowing them to earn two hours of credit for each hour completed up to eight total credits starting July 1, 2026.

Health insurers and healthcare service plans must expand their coverage beginning January 1, 2026 to include evaluation and treatment options for perimenopause and menopause without utilization management restrictions. The required coverage encompasses FDA-regulated hormone therapies, nonhormonal medications for menopause symptoms, treatments for genitourinary syndrome, and osteoporosis medications across multiple formulations and administration methods. Insurers must also provide annual clinical care recommendations for hormone therapy to contracted primary care providers who treat patients with menopause.

The legislation removes the existing requirement that the Medical Board of California consider including menopausal health in continuing education requirements, replacing it with a more comprehensive approach that incentivizes voluntary completion of menopause-related coursework. Coverage must be provided without discrimination based on gender expression or identity, while maintaining existing prescription drug coverage requirements under current law.