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.