Ohio Medicaid institutes drug co-pay plan

In a move aimed at saving the state about $243 million, about 1.5 million Ohioans enrolled in Medicaid managed care plans saw their prescription drug coverage altered on Feb. 1 (Source: “Ohio Medicaid changes to prescription drug coverage take effect today,” Cleveland Plain Dealer, Feb. 1, 2010).

Although all Ohioans enrolled in a Medicaid managed care plan were sent new cards over the past few weeks, perhaps the biggest change will affect about 400,000 enrollees who will now be responsible for drug co-pays of $3 for drugs that require prior authorization from Ohio Medicaid and $2 for trade-name drugs. There's no cost for generics. In some cases, beneficiaries may also be required to switch to generic drugs.

Prescriptions are expected to continue uninterrupted, according to state officials.