CMS updates drug coverage under ACA's Medicaid expansion

CMS said a state will need to provide the same prescription drug coverage to residents who would be newly eligible for Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act as required for the state's benchmark essential health benefits plan. In a final rule, CMS said state Medicaid expansion health plans -- known as alternative benefit plans (ABPs) -- are required to cover "at least" the same number and scope of drugs included in essential health benefit plans.

In February, HHS issued a final rule that that state essential health benefit plans must cover at least one drug per therapeutic area or the same number of drugs in each category and class as specified in the state benchmark plan, whichever is greater. ...