AN ACT relating to Medicaid; requiring Medicaid to cover certain treatments for obesity and the services of certain programs for the prevention of diabetes; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

Existing law requires the Department of Health and Human Services to administer Medicaid. (NRS 422.270) Section 1 of this bill requires the Director of the Department to include under Medicaid coverage for: (1) intensive health, behavior and lifestyle treatment for obesity; and (2) certain surgical interventions to treat obesity. Section 1 also requires the Director to include under Medicaid the services of certain programs approved under federal regulations for the treatment of diabetes for recipients of Medicaid who: (1) are eligible for such programs; and (2) have not previously participated in a diabetes prevention program while enrolled in Medicaid. Section 4 of this bill requires the Department to notify recipients of Medicaid when such coverage becomes available. Section 3 of this bill makes a conforming change to require the Director to administer the provisions of section 1 in the same manner as other provisions governing Medicaid. Existing law requires the Department to develop a list of preferred prescription drugs to be used for the Medicaid program. (NRS 422.4025) Section 2 of this bill requires that list to include prescription drugs approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration with an indication for chronic weight management in patients who have been diagnosed with obesity. Section 2 requires the Medicaid program to cover such drugs to the extent that the drugs are prescribed in accordance with the indications of the United States Food and Drug Administration.