HB 92 -- Pharmacy Assistance for the Elderly

Sponsor:  Rizzo

This bill establishes a pharmacy assistance program within the
Department of Social Services for certain elderly Missourians.
To be eligible for the program, individuals must be at least age
65, a resident of the state for at least 6 months prior to
applying for program enrollment, have an annual income that is
less than 200% of the federal poverty level, and be ineligible
or not covered for pharmacy benefits by a third-party payer or
Medicare supplemental insurance policy.  An annual enrollment
fee of not more than $15 will be collected by the Department to
help defray program costs.  The program, the payer of last
resort for pharmacy benefits, is to provide up to $750 per
fiscal year for each eligible person for the purchase of low--
cost prescription drugs and medical supplies.  The Department is
to provide pharmacy assistance in the most cost-effective
manner, which may include issuing coupons or vouchers,
indemnification, direct provider reimbursement, or cash payments
to enrollees after a receipt or invoice for the pharmacy benefit
is presented to the department.  The department is to establish
copayment requirements, ranging from $3 to $10, and may
establish deductibles.  The Department is authorized to
promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of
the bill.