Proposed Actions for Pharmacy Benefit Co-Payments

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) gives notice of the following proposed actions regarding the prescription co-payments under the State Plan under Title XIX of the Social Security Act Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid).

SCDHHS proposes to amend the South Carolina Title XIX State Plan to allow the flexibility for SCDHHS to remove the co-payment for certain medications and medication classes. This amendment is to apply to dates of service on or after July 1, 2017 and aims to enhance access and compliance to medication therapy.

SCDHHS does not anticipate the proposed action above to have a direct fiscal impact. However, the subsequent elimination of co-payment requirements will result in a modest increase in prescription costs. SCDHHS intends to eliminate co-payments only for those medications where the medical savings resulting from improved access and compliance are expected to exceed the cost of the co-payment elimination.

Copies of this notice are available at each County SCDHHS Office and at www.scdhhs.gov for public review. Additional information regarding this proposed action is available upon request at the address cited below.

Written comments may be sent to the Office of Health Programs, SCDHHS, Post Office Box 8206, Columbia, South Carolina 29202-8206. Comments may also be submitted to comments@scdhhs.gov. Written and e-mailed comments must be received by close of business June 23, 2017.

Any written comments submitted may be reviewed by the public at SCDHHS, Office of Health Programs, Jefferson Square Building, 1801 Main Street, Columbia, South Carolina, Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M.