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2019 Session

Budget Amendments - SB1100 (Member Request)

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Chief Patron: Dunnavant
Pharmacy Carve Out from Managed Care (language only)

Item 303 #24s

Item 303 #24s

Health and Human Resources
Department of Medical Assistance Services

Language

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 cost savings for each of the Commonwealth's Children's Health Insurance Program, Medallion 4.0, the Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus or other program managed or directed by the department from a pharmacy benefit directly administered by the department. In determining this 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. If cost savings are forecast, then, effective as of January 1, 2020, the department may permit Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) under the Commonwealth's Children's Health Insurance Program, Medallion 4.0, the Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus, or other program managed or directed by the department to develop and implement medication therapy management programs, including medication reconciliation programs, for Medicaid recipients, but payments for prescribed drugs and dispensing fees shall be managed, directed and coordinated directly by the department and not by MCOs or their subcontractors. All other prescription-related services and costs, pharmacy benefits, data systems, and drug rebate management shall be managed, directed and coordinated directly by the department and not by MCOs. 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 proposes language that provides for a review and consideration of pharmacy benefit management realignment in the Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program pharmacy benefit. The language requires the contracted actuary of the Department of Medical Assistance Services to determine potential cost savings. If cost savings are available, then, effective January 1, 2020, the department may carve out the pharmacy benefit from managed care.)