Blood Pressure MATTERS Act

Key Points

• This bill requires all health insurance plans, including Medicaid, CHIP, and private insurance, to cover the cost of a home blood pressure monitor for pregnant and postpartum individuals with no out-of-pocket costs like copays or deductibles.
• Coverage lasts throughout pregnancy and for 12 months after the pregnancy ends. For Medicaid enrollees who qualify for extended postpartum coverage, the benefit lasts as long as they remain eligible.
• People would qualify for a covered monitor even without a high blood pressure diagnosis. The goal is early detection of dangerous conditions like preeclampsia and eclampsia before they become emergencies.
• Covered devices must be FDA-cleared and listed as validated by the American Medical Association. Insurance plans only have to cover one device per person every two years.
• If enacted, most plans must begin coverage within 120 days. States that need to pass their own legislation to update Medicaid plans get extra time until the end of their next regular legislative session.