Reminder: Patient Access to Mosquito Repellents Available Through Pharmacy
Date: July 25, 2023
Attention: All Providers
Call to action: Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) would like to remind pharmacies and other providers of the mosquito repellent pharmacy benefit. According to a June 26 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notice, locally acquired malaria cases were identified in Texas. To prevent and control the spread of malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases in Texas, HHSC reminds pharmacies and other providers of the mosquito repellent pharmacy benefit.
How this impacts providers: HHSC covers mosquito repellents year-round to prevent mosquito-borne diseases for clients enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP. Coverage of mosquito repellent is limited to two cans or bottles per calendar month, and all programs require a prescription. Clients can contact their healthcare provider to obtain a prescription for mosquito repellent.
Patients eligible for the benefit include the following demographics:
- Females 10-55 years old
- Pregnant females of any age
- Males 14 and older
Next steps for providers: Refer to the Formulary Product search and select the "mosquito repellent" checkbox to identify the available products.
Resources:
- Mosquito Repellents section of the Pharmacy Provider Procedures Manual
- Texas Medicaid Mosquito Repellent Benefit Quick Course
- Mosquito Repellent Benefit information flyers (for clients and pharmacies)
- Texas HHS: Zika Medicaid Benefit
- Texas Department of State Health Services
- CDC - The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Next steps for providers: Providers should communicate this information with their staff.
If you have any questions, please email TCHP Pharmacy Department at: TCHPPharmacy@texaschildrens.orgFor access to all provider alerts,log into:
www.thecheckup.org or www.texaschildrenshealthplan.org/for-providers.