This edition of the Guidelines for Medical Necessity Determination (Guidelines) identifies the clinical information that MassHealth needs to determine medical necessity for non-presurgical hair removal, referred to here as “hair removal,” for treatment of gender dysphoria. The agency evaluates the medical necessity of hair removal as a treatment for other diagnoses on a case-by-case basis. These Guidelines are based on generally accepted standards of practice, review of the medical literature, and federal and state policies and laws applicable to Medicaid programs.
Providers should consult MassHealth regulations at 130 CMR 405.000: Community Health Center Services, 130 CMR 410.000: Outpatient Hospital Services, 130 CMR 433.000: Physician Services, 130 CMR 450.000: Administrative and Billing Regulations, Subchapter 6 of the Acute Outpatient Hospital Manual, Subchapter 6 of the Community Health Center Manual, and Subchapter 6 of the Physician Manual for information about coverage, limitations, service conditions, and other PA requirements.
Providers serving members enrolled in a MassHealth-contracted accountable care partnership plan (ACPP), managed care organization (MCO), One Care organization, Senior Care Options (SCO), or a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) should refer to the ACPP’s, MCO’s, One Care Organization’s, SCO’s, or PACE’s medical policies for covered services.
MassHealth requires PA for hair removal. MassHealth reviews requests for PA based on medical necessity. If MassHealth approves the request, payment is still subject to all general conditions of MassHealth, including member eligibility, other insurance, and program restrictions.