Medi-Cal: pharmacy benefits.
If enacted, AB 671 will amend the Welfare and Institutions Code to introduce Section 14132.969. The inclusion of disease management payments is expected to improve pharmacy services for Medi-Cal recipients, which could positively impact health outcomes for low-income populations who rely on these vital drugs. The California Department will also be required to ensure these adjustments comply with federal guidelines, reinforcing the state's commitment to Medicaid standards.
Assembly Bill 671, introduced by Assembly Member Wood, aims to enhance the Medi-Cal program by providing necessary payments to pharmacies dispensing specialty drugs. The bill requires the California Department of Health Care Services to offer a disease management or similar payment to contracted pharmacies, ensuring that Medi-Cal beneficiaries have sustainable access to these medications. This initiative is rooted in the findings of a survey conducted in 2020, which aimed to assess the needs and challenges facing pharmacy access within the Medi-Cal framework.
The overall sentiment surrounding AB 671 appears supportive, especially among healthcare providers and advocates for low-income patients. The emphasis on enhancing access to specialty medications is viewed as a critical step toward improving public health. However, there may be concerns regarding the implementation of payment structures and ensuring adequate funding for these initiatives from the federal government, which will necessitate careful navigation of Medicaid policies.
While there is general support for enhancing pharmacy access under Medi-Cal, some stakeholders may raise concerns about potential bureaucratic barriers in implementing new payment systems. Furthermore, debates could arise around whether the proposed payments adequately reflect the costs incurred by pharmacies, particularly as they balance the need for fair compensation with the overarching goal of delivering accessible healthcare.