Public Notice: Public Hearing Regarding SeniorCare Prescription Drug Assistance Program

Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Section 1115 SeniorCare Prescription Drug Assistance Program Waiver Amendment

Overview

The Department of Health Services (DHS) intends to submit an application to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requesting an amendment of its section 1115 research and demonstration project waiver, known as the SeniorCare Prescription Drug Assistance Program.

Through a section 1115 demonstration waiver amendment, Wisconsin seeks to expand the pharmacy benefits for individuals who qualify for SeniorCare to include vaccination coverage. In addition, by expanding access to vaccinations for the elderly, Wisconsin will continue to provide a needed health care benefit to low-income seniors.

This Wisconsin SeniorCare Prescription Drug Assistance Program waiver extends Medicaid eligibility through Title XIX to cover prescription drugs, including vaccinations, as a necessary primary health care benefit. The target population for services under the SeniorCare is seniors who are age 65 or older with income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL), which is $25,520 for an individual and $34,480 for a two-person family in 2020.

Public Comment  

Providing information to and getting input from the public on changes is important to DHS as we prepare to submit the extension request. By law, you have the opportunity to review the official full public notice and waiver extension application and provide comments from October 19 through November 2, 2020. These documents will be available on the DHS: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/seniorcare/input.htm.

You may also provide comments through written or verbal statements made during public hearings (see below). Public comments will be included in the waiver amendment submitted to CMS and will be available on the DHS website at the address listed above.

Public Hearing

Monday, November 2, 2020 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Public comment at 2 p.m. SeniorCare Advisory Committee Held virtually via Zoom https://dhswi.zoom.us/j/95357383743?pwd=bjREdm1nTU9YYXltRHFST1A5cnVuQT09 Passcode: 315933

or by calling 1-301-715-8592 (Webinar ID: 953 5738 3743)

Agendas for these meetings will be posted to www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/seniorcare/input.htm.

Written Comments

Written comments on the proposed amendment are welcome and will be accepted September 23 through October 23, 2020. Send written comments to the Division of Medicaid Services at:

Fax:   [phone]

Email:   [e-mail]

Mail:   Department of Health Services

  Attn: Tiffany Reilly

  1 West Wilson Street, P.O. Box 309

Madison, WI 53707-0309

Copies of Waiver Documents

On September 23, 2020, a copy of waiver amendment documents may be obtained from DHS at no charge by downloading the documents from www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/seniorcare/input.htm or by contacting Laura Brauer at:

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Mail: Department of Health Services

Attn: Laura Brauer

1 West Wilson Street, P.O. Box 309

Madison, WI 53707-0309