S.B. No. 215 Summary

• Creates the Ohio Pharmaceutical Assistance Program in the Department of Insurance with three components: Ohio supreme Rx savings, Ohio veterans' Rx savings, and Ohio bronze Rx savings.

• Ohio supreme Rx savings component provides reduced copayments for Medicare Part D drugs and disabled individuals, and covers Medicare Part D monthly premiums for eligible seniors and disabled persons with family income not exceeding 300% of federal poverty guidelines.

• Ohio veterans' Rx savings component limits annual out-of-pocket costs to $400 for veterans enrolled in VA health care benefits; Ohio bronze Rx savings component limits annual deductibles to $400 for individuals with Bronze-level health insurance.

• Superintendent of Insurance administers the program through participating pharmacies, processes applications, issues enrollment cards, makes eligibility determinations, and may contract with an administrator to manage program operations.

• Initial copayment for Ohio supreme Rx savings component set at $16.25, with annual increases tied to consumer price index; allows limited drug replacements with participant attestation; recommends program appropriations match any state savings from drug price relief legislation.