IL SB2148

Changes requirement for Department of Healthcare and Family Services from permissive ("may") to mandatory ("shall") to impose co-payments on medical assistance recipients, except those classes identified in 89 Ill. Adm. Code 140.402(d).

Establishes specific minimum co-payment amounts: $2 for generic drugs, at least $3.90 for physician/clinic visits, emergency room visits for non-emergencies, each day of inpatient hospital stays, and brand name prescriptions.

Requires co-payments be maximized to the extent permitted by federal law.

Exempts from co-payment requirements: renal dialysis, radiation therapy, cancer chemotherapy, insulin, medical emergencies in emergency rooms, and other life-sustaining recurring products or chronic disease medications that would cause extensive financial burden.

Caps co-payments at $10 maximum for non-emergency emergency room visits and directs Department to seek federal approval for allowing pharmacies to refuse drug dispensing when recipients cannot pay required co-payments.