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2019 Session

Budget Amendments - HB1700 (Floor Approved)

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Pharmacy Carve Out from Managed Care

Item 303 #6h

Item 303 #6h

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.  As a condition of this appropriation, the Department of Medical Assistance Services shall cause its contracted actuary, not later than October 1, 2019 and in consultation with the department and its pharmacy benefit manager, to determine the best pharmacy benefit delivery model, taking into account cost savings and other considerations, for each of 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 from a pharmacy benefit directly administered by the department. In determining cost savings, the actuary shall consider factors including rebates captured by the Commonwealth, decreased capitation rates, and a single drug formulary. The department shall report its findings to the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees by December 1, 2019. If cost savings are forecast, and the report recommends changes to the current pharmacy benefit delivery model, upon approval of the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees, 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 medication therapy management programs, including 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. 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. The department is authorized to contract with a Virginia university for administration of a common formulary across its programs for pharmacy benefits."



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. The 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 the money committees by December 1, 2019. The language requires the contracted actuary of DMAS to determine potential cost savings. If cost savings are forecast, and the chairmen of the money committees approve, 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.)