FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1565

C 36 L 13

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Funding the prescription monitoring program from the medicaid fraud penalty account.

Sponsors: Representatives Harris, Green, Jinkins, Cody, Ryu and Morrell.

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Health Care

Background:

Prescription Monitoring Program.

Legislation enacted in 2007 required the Department of Health (DOH) to implement a Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP), subject to available funding, to monitor the prescribing and dispensing of schedule II through V controlled substances. Dispensers, who include practitioners and pharmacies, must electronically report information to the DOH about each prescription dispensed. Information in the PMP is available to prescribers and dispensers.

The 2007 legislation directed the DOH to seek federal grants to support the PMP and prohibited the DOH from charging a fee to practitioners or pharmacists for the PMP's operations.

In 2010 and 2011 the DOH received federal and private grants to develop and implement the PMP.

Medicaid Fraud Penalty Account.

In 2012 legislation was enacted creating the Medicaid Fraud Penalty Account (Account). Civil penalties received from actions against Medicaid service providers and receipts from judgments or settlements under either the state Medicaid Fraud False Claims Act or federal False Claims Act must be deposited into the Account. Moneys in the Account may be appropriated for Medicaid services and Medicaid fraud prevention, detection, and enforcement activities.

Summary:

The Account may be used to fund the PMP. All operations and management of the PMP must be funded entirely from the Account, although voluntary contributions from private individuals and businesses may be used to assist in funding the PMP. The DOH must continue to seek federal grants to support the PMP.

Votes on Final Passage: