The State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) Plan Design Committee (PDC) had its regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday. There was no discussion of cost saving measures for municipalities in the SHBP.
With the COVID-19 federal and state emergencies ending it effective May 12, the cost for COVID-19 testing and vaccination will now be part of the Tier III formulary costs for in-network participation. Committee members questioned whether this move was proper as the PDC had not participated in the decision-making process and it appeared to bypass their responsibilities to consider whether to arrange the pricing as was suggested. It is likely to be discussed at the May meeting, scheduled after the May 12 effective date.
It was noted that the Rx subgroup and the Reference Based Pricing Mental Health subgroup met, received information, and would report at a later time.
Contact: Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.