:us on;BILL NUMBER: S7671
SPONSOR: CLEARE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the elder law, in relation to requiring the commissioner
of health to produce a report on the utilization and activity of the
elderly pharmaceutical insurance coverage program
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to review the effectiveness of the EPIC
program and identify any trends in utilization.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one of the bill would require the department of health to
produce a report on the utilization and activity of the elderly pharma-
ceutical insurance coverage (EPIC) program. The report would include
statistical information on the program from 2022 to 2026, such as the
number of persons enrolled, the number of enrollees that qualify through
the medicare savings program, and the number of participating provider
pharmacies. The report would also provide an evaluation of cost contain-
ment and outreach initiatives and would include enrollment and cost
projections for the 2027-2028 program years. This would be delivered to
the governor and the legislature by January 31, 2027.
Section two would establish the effective date.
 
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
N/A
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The EPIC program helps more than 325,000 income-eligible seniors aged 65
and older receive affordable prescription medication in New York State.
However, in the past few years, there have been numerous changes to
EPIC. This report will assist in identifying trends in utilization and
encourage analyses of the data compiled in the report.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act would take effect immediately.