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2000 SESSION

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SB 470 Prescription Drug Payment Assistance Program; created.

Introduced by: W. Roscoe Reynolds | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Virginia Prescription Drug Payment Assistance Program. Establishes a program to be administered by the Department of Medical Assistance Services, modeled on Delaware's Prescription Drug Payment Assistance Program, to assist eligible elderly and disabled Virginians in paying for prescription drugs. The benefit is limited to prescription drugs manufactured by pharmaceutical companies that agree to provide manufacturer rebates. Eligible persons must have incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty level or have prescription drug expenses that exceed 40 percent of his or her annual income. They must also be age 65 or older or eligible for federal Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance Benefits, and be ineligible for Medicaid prescription benefits and/or not receiving a prescription drug benefit through a Medicare supplemental policy or other third-party payer prescription benefit. Eligible persons enrolled in the program are eligible for an annual benefit of up to $2,500. Eligible enrollees will receive an identification card to be presented to pharmacists and will start receiving the benefit the month after their eligibility is determined. Benefits will be paid to pharmacies under a point-of-service claims procedure to be established by DMAS. Participants are required to make a co-payment for each prescription, which in general will not exceed 25 percent of the cost but not less than five dollars. Money to pay the claims will come from the newly established Prescription Assistance Fund, which is to be financed by 20 percent of the proceeds received by the Commonwealth under the Master Tobacco Settlement Agreement. To the extent available, administrative costs are to be paid from the pharmaceutical manufacturer rebates. This bill is identical to HB 661 and HB 1403.


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