The US Circuit Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit recently heard two cases from North Carolina and West Virginia state-run health plans that challenge lower court decisions on coverage exclusions for gender dysphoria treatments. According to this Law360 article, the cases could determine how much health plans can restrict access to gender-affirming care. McDermott Partner Sarah Raaii said employers are investigating how to preserve gender-affirming care access in places where it might no longer be accessible.
“I think a lot of the conversation is also coming back to travel benefits,” Raaii said.
The Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (Compact) has now been adopted by 26 states, which means the Compact will be taking effect on January 19, 2018. Nurses who seek to practice telemedicine and deliver in-person care across state lines and who meet the Compact’s licensure requirements in these states will have one less obstacle to overcome going forward.