department of health and social services

Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance

proposed

PUBLIC NOTICE

50100 Services Provided by Chronic Renal Disease Program

In compliance with the State's Administrative Procedures Act (APA - Title 29, Chapter 101 of the Delaware Code), with 42CFR §447.205 and under the authority of Title 31 of the Delaware Code, Chapter 5, Section 512, Delaware Health and Social Services (DHSS) / Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA) is proposing to provide a standard pharmacy benefit to Chronic Renal Disease Program recipients.

Any person who wishes to make written suggestions, compilations of data, testimony, briefs or other written materials concerning the proposed new regulations must submit same to Sharon L. Summers, Policy and Program Development Unit, Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance, 1901 North DuPont Highway, P.O. Box 906, New Castle, Delaware 19720-0906 by June 30, 2006.

The action concerning the determination of whether to adopt the proposed regulation will be based upon the results of Department and Division staff analysis and the consideration of the comments and written materials filed by other interested persons.

Summary of Proposed Changes

Statutory Authority

Delaware Code, Title 29, Chapter 79, Subchapter II, Sections 7932 – 7935, The Chronic Renal Diseases Program

Background

The Delaware Legislature established the Chronic Renal Disease Program (CRDP) effective 1970 by enacting Title 29, Chapter 79, Subchapter 11, Sections 7932-7935. The purpose of this program is to provide assistance to state residents diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). The CRDP is not federally funded. CRDP is 100% State funded. Since there are limited funds available, the CRDP should only be utilized as a program of last resort. All third party resources (Medicare, Medicaid, Veteran's Benefits, and Private Insurance) must be considered before CRDP funds are utilized.

Purpose of the Proposed Regulation

The purpose of the proposed regulation is to provide a standard pharmacy benefit to Chronic Renal Disease Program (CRDP) recipients. Pharmaceutical charges have been offset with the implementation of Federal Medicare Part D benefits; thereby permitting the inclusion of all non-Part D covered medications as a standard benefit available to all qualified recipients.

Summary of Proposed Changes

The cost shift of medications to Medicare Part D has permitted the standardization of the pharmacy benefit to CRDP clients. The proposed changes removes the additional steps previously necessary to obtain individual authorizations for each medication required.

The anticipated benefit of expanding pharmacy access is improved health outcomes for CRDP recipients, thereby avoiding costs associated with the more serious health care issues that could occur from lack of access to medications.

The proposal amends DSSM 50100.1, Medications and 50100.2, Nutritional Supplements as follows:

1. As participation in Medicare Part D or proof of creditable coverage became a condition of CRDP eligibility, the CRDP program no longer provides primary pharmacy benefit coverage for many medications. 2. Prescription drugs will be reimbursed in accordance with current Delaware Medicaid and Medical Assistance formulary limitations and procedures.

3. Reimbursement for medications will be made only for clients currently eligible and approved for participation in CRDP.

4. Refills may be authorized in compliance with appropriate pharmacy laws, and subject to Delaware Medicaid and Medical Assistance formulary restrictions.

5. At the point of sale, the pharmacist will determine electronically if another funding source is available, and bill that vendor(s) first, and then will determine if CRDP will fund the requested product.

6. At the point of sale, the pharmacist will be alerted if program quantity limits for nutritional supplements have been exceeded and if prior authorization is needed by EDS.

7. Approval of funding nutritional supplements is subject to Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance formulary restrictions.

8. The CRDP will fund oral nutritional supplements for a period prescribed by the physician.

DMMA PROPOSED REGULATIONS #06-18

The CRDP has the ability to fund prescription medications, over-the-counter medications (OTC's) or both. Prescription drugs covered under CRDP are restricted to products manufactured by pharmaceutical companies that agree to provide manufacturer rebates. As participation in Medicare Part D or proof of creditable coverage became a condition of CRDP eligibility, the CRDP program no longer provides primary pharmacy benefit coverage for many medications. As such, to improve access to prescription and OTC medications, benefits may be offered to all CRDP eligible clients, regardless of individual need review.

Services covered include generic and brand name prescription drugs that have been approved as safe and effective by the Federal Food and Drug Administration, as well as, cost effective over-the counter drugs prescribed by a licensed practitioner. Prescription drugs will be reimbursed in accordance with current Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance formulary limitations and procedures.

Reimbursement for medications will be made only for client's authorized by the clients currently eligible and approved for participation in CRDP. All third party resources must be used before CDRP funds are utilized. Client's eligibility for the medication benefit is based upon the outcome of their medical and financial assessment.

Prescription medications potentially will be funded as described above if prescribed by a physician or licensed practitioner for eligible CRDP clients. Refills may be authorized in compliance with appropriate pharmacy laws. and are subject to Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA) formulary restrictions. Reimbursements for OTC products for eligible clients are those, which the physician/practitioner has provided written a legal prescription or verbal authorization to the pharmacist. These products must be for the client’s personal use only. There will be no reimbursement for OTC products that are not prescribed by a physician/practitioner. Supplies such as mouthwash, toothpaste, shampoo, etc. will not be reimbursed. OTCs are covered based on the DMMA policy with an exception for nutritional supplements (for additional information, refer to “DSSM 50100.2 Nutritional Supplements”.

At the point of sale, the pharmacist will determine electronically if CRDP another funding source is available, and bill that vendor(s) first, and then will determine if CRDP will fund the requested product. In order for the pharmacy to receive CRDP payment, they must have be a participating Delaware Medicaid provider, with a valid provider identification number.

Note: All third party resources must be used before CRDP funds are utilized.

9 DE Reg. 774 (11/01/05)

(Break in Continuity of Sections)

Reimbursement for nutritional supplements will be made only for clients currently eligible and approved for participation in CRDP. All third party resources must be used before CRDP funds are utilized.

Nutritional supplements will be funded as described above if prescribed by a physician or licensed practitioner for eligible CRDP clients. Refills may be authorized in compliance with appropriate pharmacy laws and are subject to Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA) formulary restrictions. Reimbursements for nutritional supplements for eligible clients are those, which the physician/practitioner has provided a legal prescription to the pharmacist.

At the point of sale, the pharmacist will determine electronically if another funding source is available, and bill that vendor(s) first, and then will determine if CRDP will fund the requested product. In order for the pharmacy to receive CRDP payment, they must be a participating Delaware Medicaid provider, with a valid provider identification number.

At the point of sale, the pharmacist will be alerted if program quantity limits for nutritional supplements have been exceeded and if prior authorization is needed by EDS.

Prior authorization criteria for eligible clients:

Nutritional supplements will only be funded by the CRDP if the The client is must be diagnosed with ESRD, is on dialysis or has received a kidney transplant, and, exhibits signs and symptoms of malnutrition as determined by documentation of specific laboratory values. Additionally, approval of funding the only nutritional supplements is subject to Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance formulary restrictions. funded by the CRDP are those currently on the formulary as dictated by First Data Bank.

Other criteria that must be met include:

The CRDP will fund oral nutritional supplements for a durational period of 6 months or less as needed as prescribed by the physician or licensed practitioner. The durational period is dependent upon the client's medical and financial situation. If the client will need the supplement past the authorized durational period, the practitioner must submit another Certificate of Medical Necessity Form. Upon submission CRDP will redetermine eligibility. Claims submitted without prior approval, or exceeding the authorized durational period may be denied.