This bill, S.B. No. 1688, amends the Texas Insurance Code to require health benefit plans that cover FDA-approved contraceptive devices to also provide coverage for evidence-based anxiety and pain management associated with the insertion and removal of these devices. The new provisions include coverage for prescription antianxiety medications, minimal and moderate sedation, local anesthesia, topical anesthetics, and paracervical blocks.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that this coverage is exempt from any cost-sharing requirements, such as deductibles or coinsurance, as well as from utilization review, step therapy, or any other restrictions or delays on coverage. The changes will apply to health benefit plans that are delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, and the act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Insurance Code 1369.1031 (Insurance Code 1369)