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2020 Session

Budget Amendments - SB30 (Member Request)

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Chief Patron: DeSteph
DMAS Management of Pharmacy Benefits

Item 313 #45s

Item 313 #45s

First Year - FY2021 Second Year - FY2022
Health and Human Resources
Department of Medical Assistance Services FY2021 ($24,036,000) FY2022 ($36,048,000) GF

Language
Page 294, line 18, strike "$15,939,731,997" and insert "$15,915,695,997".
Page 294, line 18, strike "$17,038,007,934" and insert "$17,001,959,934".

Page 321, after line 18, insert:

"GGGG. As a condition of this appropriation, the Department of Medical Assistance Services shall, not later than October 1, 2020, either directly or through a contracted pharmacy benefit manager, manage all pharmacy benefits for each of the Commonwealth's Children's Health Insurance Program, Medallion 4.0, the Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus or other programs administered by the department.  If the department contracts with a pharmacy benefit manager, the contract shall require transparency in dispensing fees paid, cost control and containment measures, rebates collected and paid, and fees and other charges for its administration of the pharmacy benefit. In administering the pharmacy benefit, the Department shall annually report by no later than September 30 of each year, to the Chairs of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees the status of the pharmacy benefit, including pharmacy network and access, cost savings, rebates, and effect on capitation rates. In conjunction with its management of the pharmacy benefit, the Department shall use an exclusive drug formulary."



Explanation

(This amendment adds language directing the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) to administer all pharmacy benefits currently provided through programs administered by the agency. The 2019 General Assembly directed 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 reported the findings from the review of pharmacy benefit management realignment in the Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Programs in December 2019. That report indicated substantial benefits related to agency management of pharmacy benefits. It also captures savings of $32.0 million from the general fund annually.)