California becomes first state to require insurance to cover at-home STI tests

metroweekly.com:

California Department of Public Health, the number of syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea infections in California — taken together — rose more than 62% from 2013 to 2019.

In addition, COVID-19-related lockdowns and social distancing, as well as the shuffling of some medical staff to prioritize treating COVID-19-related illnesses, have made it more difficult for state residents to seek out free or low-cost STI testing, especially in rural areas where testing locations or services may not be as readily accessible.The bill also requires expectant parents to be screened for syphilis during the first and third trimesters of pregnancy in order to protect infants from contracting congenital syphilis, rates of which rose 232% in California from 2015 to 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

More than 8% of congenital syphilis cases in the state resulted in stillbirths in 2019, reports HIV Plus Magazine.Advocates of the law say at-home tests offer privacy options for those concerned about visiting an STI clinic or speaking with health care providers about sexual issues, and make it easier for those in rural areas where medical care is not as easily accessible, to test themselves.Californians with private insurance can take advantage of the coverage immediately, but out-of-pocket costs — if anything — will depend on the type of plan they have, whether their provider is in-network, or if they fall into a category that makes them eligible for free screening, reports Kaiser Health News.

But those on Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program, may have to wait for coverage to take effect due as the program updates its billing practices, meaning providers may be reticent to order tests until those issues are.