The Medicaid population comprises nearly 20% of American patients, yet adequate coverage for symptoms and chronic disease associated with the menopause transition remains limited – often to those who can afford to pay cash for out-of-pocket care. 

At Elektra Health, where we strive to make high-quality menopause care accessible to all people, we frequently find ourselves in discussion with Medicaid health plans who, with some notable exceptions like the forward-leaning team at EmblemHealth, express a shocking sentiment: “we don’t think this population will be interested.” 

Why wouldn’t women be interested in care for a 8-10+ year period of potentially disruptive symptoms and increased chronic disease risk? In just the past few months, ~1,000 Medicaid-insured patients have sought Elektra's services — so we know the issue is not a lack of demand. On the contrary, by virtue of the demographics of the Medicaid population — approximately 50% Black and Hispanic — women with Medicaid benefits are even more impacted by symptoms of menopause than non-Black, non-Hispanic women. Black and brown women experience menopause symptoms that start earlier, and last longer. Moreover, Black and brown women are less likely to be offered gold-standard treatments for symptoms. In the absence of adequate care, women are left struggling to address the disparate symptoms of menopause (there are 34!). This may mean bouncing from PCP to gyn to specialist, costing individuals and the health system unnecessary time and spend. This is to say nothing of the accompanying anxiety and stress, and time away from work and family.

This assumption around a lack of interest is part of a dominant menopause narrative that too often caters to an affluent audience, reinforcing the image of menopause care as a privilege rather than a fundamental component of women’s health. To address this dissonance, we need action at the policy and plan level — because this is a public health issue.

We invite you to join us in challenging this damaging narrative and underscoring the need for menopause care coverage for all women, regardless of income level, by adding your name here.

Yours truly,

Jannine Versi & the Elektra Health team