VT S0162

Eliminates the Department of Vermont Health Access's requirement to create annual lists of prescription drugs with significant price increases (50%+ over five years or 15%+ annually) for the Green Mountain Care Board and Attorney General; shifts this reporting duty solely to health insurers with more than 5,000 covered lives

Modifies the Medicaid and Exchange Advisory Committee by requiring membership to include Beneficiary Advisory Committee members per federal regulations, removing the Commissioner's authority to reappoint members for additional terms, and updating constituency categories to reference small business owners/employees instead of Vermont Health Benefit Exchange participants

Updates the Clinical Utilization Review Board by changing the liaison title from "Chief Medical Director" to "Chief Medical Officer," making staggered terms permissive rather than mandatory, and removing the requirement for monthly meetings during the first six months after formation

Increases the Medicaid burial fund exclusion from $10,000 to $15,000 for irrevocable prepaid funeral arrangements entered into on or after July 1, 2027, subject to CMS approval, with provisions requiring remaining funds be returned to Medicaid up to total benefits paid

Extends the deadline for the Department to seek federal approval for Medicaid coverage of doula services from July 1, 2026 to July 1, 2028, with corresponding delay to the effective date of coverage