Reps. Eshoo and Blunt Rochester Introduce Bill to Improve Medicaid Mail-Order Prescription Services During Coronavirus Pandemic

Washington, D.C. – House Health Subcommittee Chairwoman Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA) and Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester introduced the MAIL (Medication Access Improves Lives) Act, a bill to encourage more states to provide a mail-order option in the Medicaid program during the coronavirus public health emergency. The bill would also allow Medicaid enrollees to obtain a 90-day supply of prescribed drugs without restriction during the declared emergency.

“As people stay home to slow the spread of the virus, those enrolled in Medicaid, including those with disabilities or underlying medical conditions, are forced to venture out to pharmacies to obtain their medications because many state Medicaid programs do not offer a mail-order option,” said Rep. Eshoo. “The MAIL Act ensures that people who are vulnerable to COVID-19 can receive their prescription by mail and can follow the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation to have a 90-day supply of prescription drugs on hand.”

“Everyone, especially populations at higher risk of illness or those with underlying health conditions, should be able to follow the CDC’s recommendations for maintaining an extended supply of prescriptions,” said Rep. Blunt Rochester. “The MAIL Act helps states give those enrolled in Medicaid the flexibility they need to ensure they have a steady supply of essential medication. I’m proud to join Chairwoman Eshoo in introducing this critical piece of legislation.”

The MAIL Act encourages more states to provide a mail-order option in the Medicaid program by increasing the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) by 1 percent for mail-order Medicaid claims during the period of this public health emergency. It also requires Medicaid plans to allow enrollees to obtain a 90-day supply of prescribed drugs without restriction during the declared emergency, similar to the policy already enacted for Medicare Part D in the CARES Act. 

Text of the MAIL Act can be found HERE.

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