DHS has received federal approval to temporarily cover up to a 90-day supply of many noncontrolled prescription maintenance medications for public health care program enrollees. 

Under current state law, prescriptions for maintenance medications for Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare members are limited to a 34-day supply (Minnesota Statute, 256B.0625, subdivision 13). Effective April 2, 2020, the DHS commissioner increased the prescription drug coverage limit for certain therapeutic drug classes to a 90-day supply for all Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare members using the Governor’s Emergency Executive Order 20-12.

This waiver helps public health care program enrollees adhere to CDC guidelines around social distancing by avoiding monthly trips to their pharmacy to fill maintenance medications. It will also help prevent interruptions in ongoing courses of treatment.

DHS is not mandating that a 90-day supply of these medications be dispensed. Prescribers and pharmacists are expected to continue to use their professional and clinical judgment as to the appropriate quantity to dispense to members. 

This extension for prescriptions applies to both the fee-for-service and managed care pharmacy benefit, however managed care health plans can design their own programs and do not have to include the same list of therapeutic drug classes in their programs. Members in managed care can contact their health plan with questions.