Zika Pushes Texas to Qualify Mosquito Repellent as a Medicaid Benefit

Texas Medicaid now covers certain mosquito repellent products as a Medicaid benefit for the prevention of the Zika virus under certain conditions, effective August 9. Girls and women 10-45 years of age and pregnant women of any age covered by Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), CHIP-Perinate, and Healthy Texas Women are all eligible. As with over-the-counter medications, a prescription is required for coverage. Interestingly, Texas has reported cases of Zika that originated elsewhere, but none stemming from local mosquitoes, to date. So far, Florida is the only state to confirm infection after being bit locally.