The move, announced Oct. 12, applies not only to gender-affirming care but also to additional mental health and pain-management treatments, according to The Denver Post.
It also stands as the first time the federal government has approved mandates for gender transition-related coverage, according to The Washington Post.
The changes go into effect in 2023 and apply only to individual and small-group plans.
“We hope this marks a historic beginning, and that other states look to Colorado as a model,” CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure said during the policy announcement. “We invite other states to follow suit.”
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