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2019 Session

Budget Amendments - HB1700 (Conference Report)

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Alternative Medicaid Pharmacy Benefit Delivery Models

Item 303 #2c

Item 303 #2c

First Year - FY2019 Second Year - FY2020
Health and Human Resources
Department of Medical Assistance Services FY2019 $0 FY2020 $125,000 GF
FY2019 $0 FY2020 $125,000 NGF

Language
Page 315, line 7, strike "$14,974,837,166" and insert "$14,975,087,166".

Page 342, after line 27, insert:

"YYY.1.  The Department of Medical Assistance Services shall cause its contracted actuary, not later than October 1, 2019, to evaluate and determine the most cost-effective pharmacy benefit delivery model, taking into account cost savings and other considerations such as clinical benefits, for all programs managed or directed by the department. In determining cost savings for each model considered, the actuary shall consider factors including rebates captured by the Commonwealth, decreased capitation rates, drug ingredient costs, generic drug dispensing, dispensing fees, drug utilization, and a single drug formulary (including the existing Common Core Formulary). The department shall report its findings to the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees by December 1, 2019.

2. Upon approval of the 2020 General Assembly, the department may permit Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) under the Commonwealth's Children's Health Insurance Programs, Medallion 4.0, the Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus or any other program managed or directed by the department, to develop and implement the most cost-effective pharmacy benefit delivery model including medication therapy management programs and medication reconciliation programs, for Medicaid recipients effective as of July 1, 2020. However, payments for prescribed drugs and dispensing fees shall be  aligned to the model that provides the most beneficial financial solution to the Commonwealth. Upon approval of the 2020 General Assembly the department is authorized to contract with a pharmacy benefit manager, provided that the contract requires transparency in dispensing fees paid, cost control and containment measures, rebates collected and paid, fees and other charges for its administration of the pharmacy benefit.

3. The department is authorized to contract with a Virginia university for administration of a common formulary across its programs for pharmacy benefits upon approval of the 2020 General Assembly."



Explanation

(This amendment provides $125,000 from the general fund and $125,000 in matching federal Medicaid funds for the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) to contract with their actuary to determine the best pharmacy benefit delivery model for the Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Programs in terms of cost effectiveness and other considerations. DMAS is required to report findings from the review of pharmacy benefit management realignment in the Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Programs to the Chairmen of House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees by December 1, 2019. The language requires the contracted actuary of DMAS to determine potential cost savings. Upon approval of the 2020 General Assembly, the department may make programmatic changes to align the payments for prescribed drugs and dispensing fees with the most beneficial financial solution for the Commonwealth. Language also authorizes the agency to contract with a Virginia university for administration of a common formulary across its programs for pharmacy benefits.)