CHAPTER 126-A DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
New Hampshire Pharmaceutical Assistance Pilot Program for Seniors
Section 126-A:80
126-A:80 New Hampshire Pharmaceutical Assistance Pilot Program for Seniors. –
I. The commissioner of the department of health and human services shall establish a prescription drug assistance pilot program for seniors. The purpose of the pilot program shall be to wraparound or supplement the federal prescription drug benefit under Medicare Part D by paying the out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs for eligible individuals who have reached the coverage gap, known as the donut hole, under Medicare Part D. The pilot program shall be the payer of last resort and shall cover all out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for which assistance is not otherwise available in the coverage gap, known as the donut hole. The pilot program shall be available to the first 1,000 individuals age 65 or older who apply for such assistance, who have a gross annual household income of 250 percent or less of the federal poverty level, and who otherwise meet the eligibility criteria established by the department. Assistance shall be available under the pilot program from January 1, 2020 to January 1, 2021. The commissioner shall make available an online application, a telephone number for applications and questions, and shall provide written applications upon request. Applications shall include information on income, household size, Medicare Part D enrollment and coverage information, the prescription drugs for which assistance is sought, the age of the applicant, and the location of the applicant. On or before February 1, 2020, the commissioner shall adopt rules, under RSA 541-A, relative to pilot program enrollment, administration, and evaluation.
II. On or before March 1, 2021, the commissioner of the department of health and human services shall submit an evaluation report of the pilot program to the senate president, the speaker of the house of representatives, the governor, the senate finance committee, the house finance committee, the senate health and human services committee, and the house health, human services and elderly affairs committee. The report shall include information regarding the number of applications, age and location of applicants, prescription drugs for which assistance was provided, costs per eligible applicant, likely costs per non-eligible applicant, and descriptions regarding applicant ineligibility.