S 0571 General Bill, By J.V. Smith and Cromer
Summary: Pharmacy Assistance Act
    A BILL TO AMEND ARTICLE 5, CHAPTER 6, TITLE 44, OF THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA RETIREES AND INDIVIDUALS POOLING TOGETHER FOR SAVINGS ACT (SCRIPTS), SO AS TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THIS ACT TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA PHARMACY ASSISTANCE ACT AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE SOUTH CAROLINA ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS CREATED IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES; TO PROVIDE THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO COORDINATE WITH MEDICARE PART D TO PROVIDE TO LOW INCOME MEDICARE-ELIGIBLE STATE RESIDENTS ASSISTANCE WITH THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS UNDER MEDICARE PART D; TO SPECIFY THAT AN ENROLLEE IS ENTITLED TO BENEFITS WHEN THE ENROLLEE'S ANNUAL DRUG EXPENSES REACH THE MEDICARE PART D ANNUAL COVERAGE LIMIT, THAT BENEFITS ARE LIMITED TO WHAT AN ENROLLEE'S MEDICARE PART D PLAN WOULD HAVE COVERED IF THE LIMIT HAD NOT BEEN REACHED, AND THAT BENEFITS TERMINATE WHEN THE ENROLLEE'S ANNUAL DRUG EXPENSES REACH THE MEDICARE PART D ANNUAL OUT-OF-POCKET THRESHOLD; TO PROVIDE THAT IF REVENUE IS GENERATED FOR THE PROGRAM FROM OTHER SOURCES, THIS ADDITIONAL REVENUE MUST BE USED TO MAKE PAYMENTS REQUIRED UNDER THE FEDERAL MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG IMPROVEMENT AND MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2003 AND TO FUND EXPANDED PROGRAM BENEFITS; TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT TO MODIFY PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND BENEFIT LEVELS IF NECESSARY; TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT TO AUTOMATICALLY ENROLL MEDICAID RECIPIENTS IN THE PROGRAM AND TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO INFORM THESE ENROLLEES AS TO HOW THEY MAY WITHDRAW FROM THE PROGRAM; AND TO REPEAL CHAPTER 130, TITLE 44, RELATING TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENIORS' PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM ACT.
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03/03/05	Senate	Introduced and read first time SJ-5
03/03/05	Senate	Referred to Committee on Finance SJ-5
03/03/05	Senate	Referred to Subcommittee: Hayes (ch), Alexander, Land, Matthews, Grooms, Richardson