Texas Medicaid will cover the cost of mosquito repellent for women who are between the ages of 10 and 45 or pregnant, HHS Executive Commissioner Charles Smith announced this week.

The decision is in response to the possibility of local transmission of the Zika virus, which is spread primarily by mosquito bite. Zika can cause severe birth defects in unborn children whose mothers are infected while pregnant.

'The best way to protect yourself from Zika is by avoiding mosquito bites,' Smith said. 'There is currently no vaccine to prevent the disease or drug to treat it, making it essential that people use mosquito repellent to protect women and unborn babies.'

To be covered, a doctor must prescribe the repellent and the client must pick it up at a pharmacy. Clients can present their Medicaid prescription card just like they would with any prescription.

• Women in the following programs are covered:
• Medicaid
• CHIP
• CHIP-Perinate
• Healthy Texas Women
• Family Planning

Eligible women can get up to two cans per month through Oct. 31. Patients can call doctors to ask for a prescription, and the doctors may call it in to a pharmacy. Office visits should only be required if there is a medical necessity. All the protocols and procedures are expected to be in place to allow clients to begin picking up the repellent on Aug. 9.

HHSC has previously determined the following Zika-related items are covered under current Texas Medicaid benefits:

• Family planning services
• Contraceptives
• Diagnostic testing
• Targeted case management
• Physical therapy
• Long term services and support
• Acetometophin and oral electrolytes for Zika symptoms
• Potential coverage for additional ultrasounds for pregnant women

For more information about the Zika virus, visit TexasZika.org.

Click here for tips from Tarrant County Public Health on how to Be Mosquito Free.