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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
In a reversal of its earlier decision, Kaiser Permanente is now making Viagra available "to any man whose doctor deems the therapy 'medically appropriate.'" The Sacramento Bee reports that the HMO has added the anti-impotence drug to its formulary for now, but hopes "the state Department of Corporations will allow them to drop coverage of Viagra and all treatments for sexual dysfunction" by the beginning of next year. Kaiser, along with PacifiCare Health Systems, Health Net and Aetna U.S. Healthcare, is pushing the DOC to allow insurance companies in the state "to offer the drug as a supplemental benefit for which employers would pay an additional premium." But until the DOC decides Kaiser's case, the HMO will cover the drug "because it has proven safe and effective and it is the only anti-impotence drug in its class," according to Dr. David Campen, chair of Kaiser's Northern California formulary committee. DOC spokesperson Julie Stewart "said the department has not decided the Kaiser case, but maintains that the law governing HMOs is clear." She added, "We don't have the authority to regulate rates, per se, but if a doctor prescribes Viagra as being medically necessary, plans have an obligation to provide it" (Griffith, 11/2). Click here for previous coverage of Kaiser's battle with the state over Viagra coverage. This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.
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