Does Medi-Cal Cover HRT for Menopause? What the 2026 Drug List Shows

By The HRT Index Editorial Team · Editorial research — not medically reviewed · Last updated November 2, 2026 · Last verified November 2, 2026

Does Medi-Cal cover HRT for menopause? Yes, for FDA-approved hormones on its drug list. The November 1, 2026 Medi-Cal Rx Contract Drugs List includes estradiol pills, patches, gel and vaginal cream, micronized progesterone and Premarin, with a $0 standard copay. Some brands are limited to one maker, and unlisted products need prior authorization.

The HRT Index is the independent decision resource for online menopause and HRT care — comparing telehealth providers on clinical legitimacy, care quality, medication fit, price transparency, and access, with every claim verified and dated, so women can choose the path that fits their situation before their first consult.

What we actually verified · Last verified November 2026

• What we read: the Medi-Cal Rx Contract Drugs List dated November 1, 2026, the Medi-Cal Rx Provider Manual dated November 1, 2026, the Medi-Cal Rx monthly bulletins for July and November 2026, the Medi-Cal Rx transition FAQ, a 2025 DHCS All Plan Letter on Medi-Cal Rx, California Welfare and Institutions Code section 14132.14 (the 2026 Medi-Cal menopause coverage law), the California Department of Social Services state hearing pages, and medical guidance from The Menopause Society and the FDA. We matched brand names to the drug list's manufacturer codes using the FDA's National Drug Code data. Every source is listed at the bottom with the date we read it.
• What we did not do: we did not log in to a Medi-Cal account, call Medi-Cal Rx or a managed care plan, or check what any person would pay. We can't tell you whether a prior authorization will be approved for you.
• Commercial interest: The HRT Index may earn a commission from some providers featured through The HRT Index's Find My HRT Path tool. DHCS and Medi-Cal didn't pay for or review this page. See our affiliate disclosure.
• Verification Standard: we judge online menopause care on five pillars, in this order: clinical legitimacy, care quality, medication fit, price transparency and access. Our methodology explains how.

Jump to: Quick answer · How Medi-Cal pays for hormones · The 2026 law · Drug list table · Restriction codes · Prior authorization · Vaginal estrogen · Nonhormonal options · Compounded hormones and pellets · Cost · Visits and labs · How to check · If Medi-Cal says no · Is HRT right for you? · Online care · FAQ · Sources

Does Medi-Cal cover HRT for menopause? The quick answer by situation

Medi-Cal covers the most common FDA-approved menopause hormones through Medi-Cal Rx, the state's pharmacy benefit for nearly all Medi-Cal members. If your prescription is on the Contract Drugs List and meets its conditions, the pharmacy can fill it without extra approval. If it isn't listed, your prescriber can ask for prior authorization.

The table sums up what the November 1, 2026 Contract Drugs List shows. Use it to prepare for your talk with your clinician and pharmacist. It isn't a promise that a specific prescription will be paid.

Bottom line: on the current Medi-Cal Rx list, the estradiol and progesterone most women start with are covered, and the standard copay in the Medi-Cal Rx Provider Manual is $0 for generic and brand drugs. What can slow you down is a product that isn't listed or a brand-only restriction.

The right online menopause care isn't the same for every woman — it depends on your symptoms, what you've already tried, your age, your state and your health history. Some situations belong with an in-person clinician first. Use The HRT Index's Find My HRT Path tool to explore a featured care option for your situation — and to flag when online care isn't the right starting point — before your first consult.

Find My HRT Path is free, takes about 60 seconds and doesn't ask for your email. It asks five quick questions about your symptoms, what you've already tried, your age, your state and your health history. It isn't an insurance check, an eligibility test, a diagnosis or a prescription decision, and it can't tell you whether a care option accepts Medi-Cal. Ask that directly before you book.

How Medi-Cal pays for menopause hormones: Medi-Cal Rx and your plan

Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program. Since January 1, 2022, prescriptions filled at a pharmacy are paid through Medi-Cal Rx, a single statewide pharmacy benefit run by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), whether you're in a managed care plan or regular fee-for-service Medi-Cal.

That's why your managed care plan's name doesn't change which hormones are covered at the pharmacy. DHCS says it moved pharmacy benefits out of managed care "to standardize the pharmacy benefit statewide for all Medi-Cal members" and to let members use "the broader FFS pharmacy network." A 2025 DHCS All Plan Letter says that, as of January 1, 2022, Medi-Cal Rx covers "Covered outpatient drugs, eligible under the pharmacy benefit" when billed by a pharmacy on a pharmacy claim.

Your managed care plan still matters for everything that isn't a pharmacy claim: your doctor or nurse practitioner visits, referrals to a gynecologist and most lab work. There are a few exceptions. DHCS says Medi-Cal Rx "does not apply to" Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) plans, Senior Care Action Network (SCAN) or the Major Risk Medical Insurance Program (MRMIP). If you're in one of those, ask your plan about its own drug rules.

Who to call for what:

This page is about Medi-Cal. For other states' Medicaid programs, see does Medicaid cover HRT for menopause?. If you have Medicare too, see does Medicare cover HRT for menopause?. Kaiser members can read does Kaiser cover HRT for menopause?, and Covered California plan members can start with does insurance cover HRT for menopause?.

California's 2026 law: menopause treatment is a named Medi-Cal benefit

In 2026, California added section 14132.14 to its Welfare and Institutions Code. It says FDA-approved treatments for menopausal symptoms "are covered benefits under the Medi-Cal program, subject to medical necessity." The law was part of Senate Bill 164 (Chapter 27, Statutes of 2026) and is listed as effective June 29, 2026.

The law spells out what's included. Its list covers:

1. "Hormone therapy, including combination estrogen and hormone medicines, combination estrogen and progestin medicines, estrogen-only and progestin-only medicines, vaginal estrogen, and topical hormone therapy." It excludes GLP-1 drugs "used solely for weight loss."
2. "Low-dose antidepressants."
3. "Anticonvulsants."
4. "Medications to prevent or treat osteoporosis."
5. "Nonhormonal medications for vasomotor-related symptoms" (hot flashes and night sweats).

The law also tells DHCS to set a policy to pay providers for menopause care, "including services integrated with primary care and obstetrician-gynecologist services," and says that policy must consider current recommendations from The Menopause Society or another national professional group. It defines menopause to include "perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause."

What the law doesn't do:

• It doesn't remove medical-necessity review. Coverage is "subject to medical necessity," so prior authorization rules can still apply.
• It doesn't list specific products. The Contract Drugs List is still where you see which products a pharmacy can fill without extra approval.
• It depends on federal approval. The section says it will be implemented "only to the extent that any necessary federal approvals are obtained, and federal financial participation is available."

The Governor's office first proposed this coverage in February 2026, saying the plan would require coverage of FDA-approved menopause treatments "including coverage in the Medi-Cal program." For you, the practical meaning is simple: if a clinician says a menopause treatment is medically necessary and it's FDA-approved, there's now a specific state law to point to in a prior authorization request or an appeal.

Medi-Cal Rx Contract Drugs List: menopause hormones in November 2026

We searched the November 1, 2026 Medi-Cal Rx Contract Drugs List for every menopause hormone and hot-flash medicine we could think of. Most estradiol and progesterone products were listed with no restriction code. Several brand-name products were listed with a labeler restriction, and a few common products weren't listed.

How to read the table: "Listed" means the product is on the Contract Drugs List. "Labeler restriction" means the claim must be for one manufacturer's product to pay. We matched each manufacturer code to a brand using the FDA's National Drug Code data. "Not found" means we didn't find it in the November 2026 list; DHCS says legend (prescription) drugs that aren't listed "may be covered subject to authorization from a Medi-Cal consultant."

Source: Medi-Cal Rx Contract Drugs List, November 1, 2026, sections "Hormones: Estrogens and Combinations," "Hormones: Progestins and Combinations" and "Central Nervous System: Miscellaneous," read November 2, 2026. Brand matches: FDA National Drug Code data, read November 2, 2026.

What jumps out:

• The everyday options are open. Estradiol pills, patches, gel and vaginal cream and micronized progesterone, which many women start with, are listed with no restriction code.
• Brand-only listings aren't a barrier on their own. A labeler restriction means Medi-Cal pays for that maker's product. Premarin, Estring and Femring are listed for their makers. FDA-approved generic conjugated estrogen tablets also exist, but the list specifies the Premarin maker's labeler; ask Medi-Cal Rx about a different manufacturer's product.
• The biggest gap is vaginal tablets and inserts. If you've used Vagifem, Yuvafem or Imvexxy elsewhere, you'd likely switch to a listed cream or ring, or your prescriber would request approval.
• Nonhormonal hot-flash drugs are on the list. Veozah and Lynkuet both appear, which isn't true of every insurer's drug list.

Lists change. DHCS says it "will send out a 60-day notice prior to the removal of a drug" from the Contract Drugs List, and the monthly Medi-Cal Rx bulletins list each change. For example, the July 1, 2026 bulletin added the labeler restriction to estradiol vaginal rings.

What "LR," "QL" and Code I mean on the Medi-Cal drug list

The Contract Drugs List uses short codes for limits. Most menopause hormones have none. Where you do see one, it's usually "LR," which only affects which manufacturer's product the pharmacy can bill.

Does Medi-Cal need prior authorization for HRT?

Not for most HRT. The estradiol and progesterone products listed on the Contract Drugs List showed no restriction code, so a pharmacy can generally fill them. Prior authorization comes in for products that aren't listed, such as estradiol vaginal inserts, Bijuva or Duavee, or when a prescription goes beyond a listed condition.

Here's how the Medi-Cal Rx process works, based on the November 2026 Provider Manual:

• Your prescriber or pharmacy asks, not you. The manual says "A member cannot initiate or submit a PA request." Prescribers can submit through the Medi-Cal Rx portal, by fax or mail, or through CoverMyMeds, where the manual says "most decisions" happen in real time.
• Decisions are fast. Medi-Cal Rx says the submitter "receives notification of determination of the PA request within 24 hours."
• Cheaper listed options come first. The manual says Medi-Cal Rx "requires that least costly drug/products are ruled out" and enforces "the trial or patient-specific consideration of less costly alternatives," including products on the Contract Drugs List. It also says that already using a drug, by itself, "will not suffice as justification."
• Missing details cause delays. If medical necessity isn't clear, the request can be deferred "for up to 30 days" while the prescriber sends more information. The manual lists what helps: the diagnosis and its code, other products tried and why they didn't work, contraindications and allergies, and chart notes.
• You'll get a letter. An approval with changes or a denial "will generate a Notice of Action (NOA) to the requesting PA submitter and member," mailed "within three business days."
• An emergency supply exists. The manual allows a pharmacist to dispense a 14-day emergency supply of a Medi-Cal Rx benefit when a delay "would withhold a medically necessary service." This is the pharmacist's call, and it's limited.

What a strong request for an unlisted hormone usually explains is why a listed option doesn't fit you. For example, a prescriber requesting estradiol vaginal inserts might note that the listed cream or ring was tried or isn't suitable and why. For a step-by-step look at menopause prior authorizations in general, see HRT prior authorization for menopause.

Does Medi-Cal cover vaginal estrogen?

Yes. Estradiol 0.01% vaginal cream is listed with no restriction code, and Premarin vaginal cream and the Estring low-dose ring are listed with labeler restrictions. Estradiol vaginal tablets and inserts weren't on the November 2026 list, so they'd need prior authorization.

Vaginal estrogen matters because vaginal dryness, irritation, painful sex and some urinary symptoms (together called the genitourinary syndrome of menopause, or GSM) are common and often don't go away on their own. The Menopause Society's 2022 position statement says that for these symptoms, when over-the-counter therapies don't help and a woman doesn't need systemic hormone therapy, "low-dose vaginal estrogen therapy or other therapies (eg, vaginal dehydroepiandrosterone or oral ospemifene) are recommended." Neither Intrarosa (vaginal DHEA) nor Osphena (ospemifene) was on the Medi-Cal list we read.

Estring and Femring are different products with different doses, and both are listed. Make sure your prescription names the one your clinician means.

More detail: does insurance cover vaginal estrogen?, Vagifem cost without insurance and cheapest vaginal estrogen without insurance.

Does Medi-Cal cover Veozah or Lynkuet?

Both are on the November 2026 Contract Drugs List. Fezolinetant (Veozah) 45 mg tablets and elinzanetant (Lynkuet) 60 mg capsules are listed with labeler restrictions to their makers, Astellas and Bayer.

California's 2026 law also names "Nonhormonal medications for vasomotor-related symptoms," "Low-dose antidepressants" and "Anticonvulsants" among covered menopause treatments, subject to medical necessity. These options matter for women who can't use estrogen, such as many breast cancer survivors, or who prefer not to.

Whether a nonhormonal option fits you is a clinical question. See does insurance cover Veozah?, does insurance cover Lynkuet? and our overview of nonhormonal options.

Does Medi-Cal cover compounded bioidentical hormones or pellets?

Sometimes compounds can be billed, but under strict rules, and the state's 2026 menopause law names FDA-approved treatments only. Hormone pellets weren't addressed in the Medi-Cal Rx documents we read. Ask before you pay for either.

What the documents say:

• The Contract Drugs List says: "Prescribed drugs listed in the CDL and unlisted drugs approved by authorization that require special compounding by the pharmacist are covered by the Medi-Cal program, provided that the name, quantity, and principal labeler of each ingredient are listed on the claim." In plain words, a compound may be paid only if its ingredients are covered or approved and the pharmacy bills it correctly.
• California's 2026 law covers "Federal Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments for menopausal symptoms." Compounded products aren't FDA-approved.

On the medical side, the FDA says "Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved" and "FDA recommends that women use hormone therapies that are FDA-approved." The good news if you want "bioidentical" hormones: The Menopause Society's 2022 statement says FDA-approved bioidentical hormones include estradiol and micronized progesterone, and both are on Medi-Cal's list. See FDA-approved bioidentical hormones, does insurance cover compounded hormones? and does insurance cover hormone pellets?.

How much does HRT cost with Medi-Cal?

For most members, listed prescriptions cost nothing at the pharmacy. The November 2026 Medi-Cal Rx Provider Manual shows a standard copay of $0.00 for both generic and brand drugs and no standard deductible.

The one exception is Share of Cost. The manual explains that "Some Medi-Cal members must pay, or agree to pay, a monthly dollar amount toward their medical expenses before they qualify for Medi-Cal Rx benefits." Until that amount is met, pharmacy claims are denied. If you have a Share of Cost, it's shown in your Medi-Cal notices, and your county office can explain it.

If you'd rather pay cash for a product that isn't listed while a request is pending, compare prices first. See estradiol cost without insurance, Bijuva cost without insurance, Duavee cost without insurance and Imvexxy cost without insurance.

Does Medi-Cal cover the menopause visit and labs?

The visit isn't part of Medi-Cal Rx. If you're in a managed care plan, your plan covers visits with network clinicians, and California's 2026 law tells DHCS to set a payment policy for menopause care in primary care and OB-GYN settings. The Menopause Society says hormone blood tests are rarely needed for hormone therapy.

Things to check:

• Your network. Call your plan's Member Services (number on your ID card) and ask which primary care clinicians or gynecologists in your network treat menopause symptoms.
• Referrals. Ask whether you need a referral from your primary care clinician to see a gynecologist.
• Hormone tests. The Menopause Society's 2022 statement says "Salivary and urine hormone testing to determine dosing are unreliable and not recommended. Serum hormone testing is rarely needed." Ask why a test is needed before agreeing to one you'd pay for yourself.
• Your plan's own drugs. If you're in PACE or SCAN, Medi-Cal Rx doesn't apply, so ask your plan about its drug list.

How to check your Medi-Cal HRT coverage in five steps

You can check your Medi-Cal HRT coverage with your Medi-Cal card and the name of the medication. The Contract Drugs List shows whether it's listed, and Medi-Cal Rx Customer Service can confirm.

1. Open the current Contract Drugs List. Go to the Medi-Cal Rx Contract Drugs List page and open the latest PDF. Check the date on the cover.
2. Search for the generic name. Use your browser's find tool for "estradiol," "progesterone," "conjugated" or "medroxyprogesterone." Menopause hormones are in the section "Hormones: Estrogens and Combinations." Veozah and Lynkuet are listed by their generic names, fezolinetant and elinzanetant.
3. Match the form and strength. "Listed" applies to the forms and strengths shown. Estradiol vaginal cream is listed, for example, but vaginal tablets aren't.
4. Note any code. Write down whether it shows LR, QL or AL.
5. Call to confirm. Call the Medi-Cal Rx Customer Service Center at 1-800-977-2273 and press 1 for beneficiaries.

Questions to ask, word for word:

• "Is [medication, strength and form] on the Medi-Cal Rx Contract Drugs List right now?"
• "Does it have a labeler restriction or quantity limit?"
• "If it's not listed, can my prescriber request prior authorization, and what should they include?"
• "Do I have a Share of Cost this month?"
• For your managed care plan: "Which clinicians in my network treat menopause symptoms, and do I need a referral?"

Ready to compare care options with these answers in hand? This is a good time to see which kind of care fits your situation.

What to do if Medi-Cal denies your HRT

If Medi-Cal won't pay for a menopause medication, you have options: switch to a listed product, have your prescriber request prior authorization or appeal, and ask for a State Fair Hearing. Many problems are solved at step one by moving to a listed estradiol or progesterone product.

How to ask for a State Fair Hearing: call the State Hearings Division at 1-800-743-8525 (TTY 1-800-952-8349), use the online form at cdss.ca.gov/hearing-requests, or send the form that comes with your Notice of Action. If Medi-Cal is stopping or reducing a medication you already get, the Medi-Cal Rx hearing form explains that you may keep receiving it until the judge decides, called "aid paid pending," if you ask within 10 days of the notice.

When you or your prescriber write an appeal, it can help to mention section 14132.14 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, which names FDA-approved menopause hormone therapy as a Medi-Cal benefit, subject to medical necessity. Tools that help: what to do if insurance denies HRT and our HRT insurance appeal letter template.

Coverage isn't the same as fit: is HRT right for you?

Medi-Cal covering a hormone doesn't mean it's the right choice for you. That's a decision for you and a clinician who knows your health history, including whether you have a uterus and any history of breast cancer, blood clots, stroke, heart disease or liver disease.

What the medical guidance says, in short:

• It works. The Menopause Society's 2022 position statement says "Hormone therapy remains the most effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms (VMS) and the genitourinary syndrome of menopause and has been shown to prevent bone loss and fracture."
• If you have a uterus, estrogen needs a progestogen. The same statement says women "with an intact uterus using systemic ET should receive adequate progestogen." That's why progesterone or medroxyprogesterone often appears next to estradiol on a prescription. See do you need progesterone if you have a uterus?.
• Some women shouldn't use it. The statement lists contraindications for pill and patch hormone therapy, including unexplained vaginal bleeding, liver disease, prior estrogen-sensitive cancer (including breast cancer), prior coronary heart disease, stroke, heart attack or blood clots, or a high inherited risk of clots. See who should not take HRT and HRT contraindications.

Don't start, stop or switch hormones because of a coverage problem without talking with your prescriber. If a product isn't listed, your prescriber can often switch you to a listed option that fits.

Can you use Medi-Cal with online menopause care?

Sometimes, but check before you book. Medi-Cal pays for visits through your managed care plan's network, so an online service that isn't in that network usually means paying for the visit yourself. Our online HRT with Medicaid guide found that many well-known online HRT companies don't bill Medicaid for visits, and it lists the routes more likely to be covered.

Two questions to ask any online service before your first consult:

1. "Are you a Medi-Cal provider in my plan's network?"
2. "If I pay cash for the visit, can you send my prescription to a Medi-Cal Rx pharmacy so the medication is billed to Medi-Cal?" Then confirm with Medi-Cal Rx Customer Service whether that prescription can be paid.

Here's how our five pillars apply when you have Medi-Cal:

• Clinical legitimacy: a clinician licensed in California should take a full history before prescribing.
• Care quality: the service should explain FDA-approved options first and tell you why if it suggests a compounded product.
• Medication fit: look for estradiol, micronized progesterone and estradiol vaginal cream, which are listed on Medi-Cal Rx.
• Price transparency: you should know the visit fee up front and whether prescriptions go to a pharmacy that bills Medi-Cal Rx.
• Access: check that the service treats California patients and whether it sees Medi-Cal members at all.

See online HRT in California, online HRT providers that accept insurance and is online HRT safe?.

Frequently asked questions

Does Medi-Cal cover HRT for menopause?

Yes, for FDA-approved hormones on its drug list. The November 1, 2026 Medi-Cal Rx Contract Drugs List includes estradiol tablets, patches, gel and vaginal cream, micronized progesterone, medroxyprogesterone and Premarin products. Unlisted products need prior authorization, and California law now names menopause hormone therapy as a Medi-Cal benefit, subject to medical necessity.

Does Medi-Cal cover estradiol?

Yes. Estradiol 0.5, 1 and 2 mg tablets, weekly and twice-weekly patches, 0.1% gel packets and 0.01% vaginal cream were listed with no restriction code. The Estring ring and Femring were listed with labeler restrictions. Estradiol vaginal tablets and inserts weren't listed.

Does Medi-Cal cover progesterone?

Yes. Micronized progesterone 100 and 200 mg capsules and medroxyprogesterone acetate tablets were on the November 2026 list with no restriction code.

Does Medi-Cal cover Premarin?

Yes. Premarin tablets, Premarin vaginal cream, Prempro and Premphase were listed with a labeler restriction to the maker's code, which means Medi-Cal pays for those specific products.

Is HRT free with Medi-Cal?

For most members, yes at the pharmacy. The Medi-Cal Rx Provider Manual shows a $0.00 standard copay for generic and brand drugs. Members with a Share of Cost must meet that monthly amount before Medi-Cal Rx pays.

Does Medi-Cal cover Veozah?

Yes. Fezolinetant (Veozah) 45 mg tablets were listed with a labeler restriction to Astellas, its maker. Elinzanetant (Lynkuet) 60 mg capsules were also listed.

Does Medi-Cal cover bioidentical hormones?

Medi-Cal covers FDA-approved bioidentical hormones such as estradiol and micronized progesterone. Compounded products are paid only under specific claim rules, and the 2026 menopause law names FDA-approved treatments. Ask Medi-Cal Rx before paying for a compound.

Do I need prior authorization for HRT on Medi-Cal?

Usually not for listed estradiol and progesterone products. Your prescriber needs prior authorization for products not on the list, such as estradiol vaginal inserts, Bijuva or Duavee. Medi-Cal Rx says it decides within 24 hours.

Does my Medi-Cal managed care plan change which hormones are covered?

No, for pharmacy prescriptions. Since January 1, 2022, pharmacy-billed drugs for managed care members have been covered through Medi-Cal Rx's single statewide list. Your plan still covers visits, and PACE and SCAN members follow their plan's own rules.

Can Find My HRT Path tell me what Medi-Cal covers?

No. Find My HRT Path asks about your symptoms, what you've tried, your age, your state and your health history to suggest a care option. It doesn't check Medi-Cal coverage. Medi-Cal Rx Customer Service and your plan do that.

The bottom line

Does Medi-Cal cover HRT for menopause? Yes. On the November 1, 2026 Medi-Cal Rx Contract Drugs List, estradiol pills, patches, gel and vaginal cream and micronized progesterone are listed with no restriction code. Premarin products, the Estring and Femring rings, and Veozah and Lynkuet are listed for their makers' products. The standard copay is $0. Vaginal inserts, Bijuva and Duavee weren't listed and would need prior authorization, and a 2026 state law now names menopause hormone therapy as a Medi-Cal benefit, subject to medical necessity. Check the current list, call Medi-Cal Rx with questions, and ask your prescriber whether a listed option fits you.

If you've sorted out coverage but still aren't sure which kind of care to start with, Find My HRT Path can point you to a starting option and flag when in-person care should come first.

Related reading

• Does Medicaid cover HRT for menopause?
• Online HRT with Medicaid
• Online HRT in California
• Does insurance cover HRT for menopause?
• What HRT is covered by insurance?
• HRT prior authorization for menopause
• What to do if insurance denies HRT
• Types of HRT

Sources

All sources were read on November 2, 2026.

1. California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), Medi-Cal Rx. Contract Drugs List, November 1, 2026. https://medi-calrx.dhcs.ca.gov/cms/medicalrx/static-assets/documents/provider/forms-and-information/cdl/Medi-Cal_Rx_Contract_Drugs_List_FINAL.pdf
2. DHCS, Medi-Cal Rx. Contract Drugs List (CDL) page. https://medi-calrx.dhcs.ca.gov/home/cdl/
3. DHCS, Medi-Cal Rx. Provider Manual, November 1, 2026. https://medi-calrx.dhcs.ca.gov/cms/medicalrx/static-assets/documents/provider/forms-and-information/manuals/Medi-Cal_Rx_Provider_Manual.pdf
4. DHCS, Medi-Cal Rx. Monthly Bulletin, July 1, 2026. https://medi-calrx.dhcs.ca.gov/cms/medicalrx/static-assets/documents/provider/2026/07_B_Monthly_Bulletin.pdf
5. DHCS, Medi-Cal Rx. Monthly Bulletin, November 1, 2026. https://medi-calrx.dhcs.ca.gov/cms/medicalrx/static-assets/documents/provider/2026/11_B_Monthly_Bulletin.pdf
6. DHCS, Medi-Cal Rx. Transitioning Medi-Cal Pharmacy Services from Managed Care to Fee-for-Service FAQs (July 18, 2025). https://www.medi-calrx.dhcs.ca.gov/cms/medicalrx/static-assets/documents/faq/Medi-Cal_Rx_Transitioning_Medi-Cal_Pharmacy_Services_from_Managed_Care_to_FFS_FAQs.pdf
7. DHCS. All Plan Letter 25-013 (Medi-Cal Rx). https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/APL25-013.pdf
8. California Legislative Information. Welfare and Institutions Code section 14132.14 (added by Stats. 2026, Ch. 27, SB 164). https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=WIC&sectionNum=14132.14
9. California Legislative Information. SB 164 (2025–2026) bill status. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB164
10. Office of Governor Gavin Newsom. "Governor Newsom proposes improving access to menopause health care," February 2, 2026. https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/02/02/governor-newsom-proposes-improving-access-to-menopause-health-care/
11. California Department of Social Services. State Hearing Requests. https://www.cdss.ca.gov/hearing-requests
12. DHCS, Medi-Cal Rx. State Fair Hearing Request Form. https://medi-calrx.dhcs.ca.gov/cms/medicalrx/static-assets/documents/member/State_Fair_Hearing_Request_Form.pdf
13. DHCS. Health Care Options. https://www.healthcareoptions.dhcs.ca.gov/en
14. US Food and Drug Administration. National Drug Code Directory. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-approvals-and-databases/national-drug-code-directory
15. The 2022 hormone therapy position statement of The North American Menopause Society (The Menopause Society). Menopause, 2022;29(7):767–794. https://menopause.org/wp-content/uploads/professional/nams-2022-hormone-therapy-position-statement.pdf
16. US Food and Drug Administration. Menopause (Women's Health Topics). https://www.fda.gov/consumers/womens-health-topics/menopause
17. US Food and Drug Administration. Compounding and the FDA: Questions and Answers. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/compounding-and-fda-questions-and-answers
18. US Food and Drug Administration. Drugs@FDA, conjugated estrogens tablets and therapeutic equivalents. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?ApplNo=214025&event=overview.process

This page is for education only and is not medical, legal or insurance advice. Coverage details come from the DHCS and California documents listed above and can change; Medi-Cal Rx, your managed care plan and your Notice of Action have the final word. Don't start, stop or change any hormone treatment without talking with your clinician. If you have chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, sudden severe headache, vision or speech changes, or a painful swollen leg, call 911.