Chapter 49

49.682(5) (5) The department shall promulgate rules establishing standards for determining whether the application of this section with respect to a claim under sub. (2) (a) would work an undue hardship in individual cases. If the department determines that the application of this section with respect to a claim under sub. (2) (a) would work an undue hardship in a particular case, the department shall waive application of this section in that case.

49.682(6) (6) The department may contract with or employ an attorney to probate estates to recover under this section the costs of care.

49.682 History History: 1995 a. 27 ss. 3044b to 3044j; Stats. 1995 s. 49.682; 1995 a. 225 ss. 127, 128; 1999 a. 9; 2013 a. 20, 92; 2015 a. 55.

49.683 49.683 Cystic fibrosis aids.

49.683(1) (1) Subject to s. 49.687 (1m), the department may provide financial assistance for costs of medical care of persons over the age of 18 years with the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis who meet financial requirements established by the department by rule under s. 49.687 (1).

49.683(2) (2) Approved costs for medical care under sub. (1) shall be paid from the appropriation accounts under s. 20.435 (4) (e) and (je).

49.683(3) (3) No payment shall be made under this section for any portion of medical care costs that are payable under any state, federal, or other health care coverage program, including a health care coverage program specified by rule under s. 49.687 (1m), or under any grant, contract, or other contractual arrangement.

49.683 History History: 1973 c. 300; Stats. 1973 s. 146.35; 1973 c. 336 s. 55; Stats. 1973 s. 146.36; 1975 c. 39; 1979 c. 34 s. 2102 (43) (a); 1983 a. 27 s. 1562; Stats. 1983 s. 49.483; 1993 a. 16, 449; 1995 a. 27 ss. 3045, 3046, 3047; Stats. 1995 s. 49.683; 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 16; 2003 a. 33.

49.683 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. DHS 154, Wis. adm. code.

49.685 49.685 Hemophilia treatment services.

49.685(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

49.685(1)(a) (a) “Comprehensive hemophilia treatment center” means a center, and its satellite facilities, approved by the department, which provide services, including development of the maintenance program, to persons with hemophilia and other related congenital bleeding disorders.

49.685(1)(c) (c) “Hemophilia” means a bleeding disorder resulting from a genetically determined clotting factor abnormality or deficiency.

49.685(1)(d) (d) “Home care” means the self-infusion of a clotting factor on an outpatient basis by the patient or the infusion of a clotting factor to a patient on an outpatient basis by a person trained in such procedures.

49.685(1)(e) (e) “Maintenance program” means the individual’s therapeutic and treatment regimen, including medical, dental, social and vocational rehabilitation including home health care.

49.685(1)(f) (f) “Net worth” means the sum of the value of liquid assets, real property, after excluding the first $10,000 of the full value of the home derived by dividing the assessed value by the assessment ratio of the taxation district.

49.685(1)(g) (g) “Physician director” means the medical director of the comprehensive hemophilia treatment center which is directly responsible for an individual’s maintenance program.

49.685(2) (2) Assistance program. From the appropriation accounts under s. 20.435 (4) (e) and (je), the department shall establish a program of financial assistance to persons suffering from hemophilia and other related congenital bleeding disorders. The program shall assist such persons to purchase the blood derivatives and supplies necessary for home care. The program shall be administered through the comprehensive hemophilia treatment centers.

49.685(4) (4) Eligibility. Any permanent resident of this state who suffers from hemophilia or other related congenital bleeding disorder may participate in the program if that person meets the requirements of this section and s. 49.687 and the standards set by rule under this section and s. 49.687. The person shall enter into an agreement with the comprehensive hemophilia treatment center for a maintenance program to be followed by that person as a condition for continued eligibility. The physician director or a designee shall, at least once in each 6-month period, review the maintenance program and verify that the person is complying with the program.

49.685(5) (5) Recovery from other sources. The department is responsible for payments for blood products and supplies used in home care by persons participating in the program. The department may enter into agreements with comprehensive hemophilia treatment centers under which the treatment center assumes the responsibility for recovery of the payments from a 3rd party, including any insurer.

49.685(6) (6) Payments.

49.685(6)(a) (a) The department shall, by rule, establish a reasonable cost for blood products and supplies used in home care as a basis of reimbursement under this section.

49.685(6)(b) (b) Reimbursement shall not be made under this section for any blood products or supplies that are not purchased from or provided by a comprehensive hemophilia treatment center, or a source approved by the treatment center. Reimbursement shall not be made under this section for any portion of the costs of blood products or supplies that are payable under any other state, federal, or other health care coverage program under which the person is covered, including a health care coverage program specified by rule under s. 49.687 (1m), or under any grant, contract, or other contractual arrangement.

49.685(6)(c) (c) The reasonable cost, determined under par. (a), of blood products and supplies used in home care for which reimbursement is not prohibited under par. (b), shall be reimbursed under this section after deduction of the patient’s liability, determined under sub. (7).

49.685(7) (7) Patient’s liability.

49.685(7)(a) (a)

49.685(7)(a)1. 1. The percentage of the patient’s liability for the reasonable costs for blood products and supplies which are determined to be eligible for reimbursement under sub. (6) shall be based upon the income and the size of the person’s family unit, according to standards to be established by the department under s. 49.687.

49.685(7)(a)2. 2. In determining income, only the income of the patient and persons responsible for the patient’s support under s. 49.90 may be considered.

49.685(7)(a)4. 4. In determining family size, only persons who are related to the patient as parent, spouse, legal dependent or, if under the age of 18, as brother or sister may be considered.

49.685(7)(a)5. 5. In determining net worth, only the net worth of the patient and persons responsible for the patient’s support under s. 49.90 will be considered.

49.685(7)(b) (b) Individual liability shall be determined at the time of initial treatment and shall be redetermined annually or upon the patient’s notification to the department of a change in family size or financial condition.

49.685(8) (8) Department’s duties. The department shall:

49.685(8)(a) (a) Extend financial assistance under this section to eligible persons suffering from hemophilia or other related congenital bleeding disorders.

49.685(8)(b) (b) Employ administrative personnel to implement this section.

49.685(8)(c) (c) Promulgate all rules necessary to implement this section.

49.685 History History: 1977 c. 213; 1979 c. 32; 1983 a. 27; 1983 a. 189 s. 329 (10); 1983 a. 544 s. 47 (1); 1985 a. 29 s. 3202 (23), (46); 1987 a. 27; 1987 a. 312 s. 17; 1993 a. 16, 449; 1995 a. 27 ss. 3048 to 3060; Stats. 1995 s. 49.685; 2001 a. 16; 2003 a. 33, 198.

49.685 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. DHS 153, Wis. adm. code.

49.686 49.686 AZT and pentamidine reimbursement program.

49.686(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

49.686(1)(a) (a) “AIDS” means acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

49.686(1)(am) (am) “AZT” means the drug azidothymidine.

49.686(1)(b) (b) “Gross income” means all income, from whatever source derived and in whatever form realized, whether in money, property or services.

49.686(1)(c) (c) “HIV” means any strain of human immunodeficiency virus, which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

49.686(1)(d) (d) “HIV infection” means the pathological state produced by a human body in response to the presence of HIV.

49.686(1)(e) (e) “Physician” has the meaning specified in s. 448.01 (5).

49.686(1)(f) (f) “Residence” means the concurrence of physical presence with intent to remain in a place of fixed habitation. Physical presence is prima facie evidence of intent to remain.

49.686(2) (2) Reimbursement. From the appropriation accounts under s. 20.435 (1) (am), (i), and (ma), the department may reimburse or supplement the reimbursement of the cost of AZT, the drug pentamidine, and any drug approved for reimbursement under sub. (4) (c) for an individual who is eligible under sub. (3).

49.686(3) (3) Eligibility. An individual is eligible to receive the reimbursement specified under sub. (2) if he or she meets all of the following criteria:

49.686(3)(a) (a) Has residence in this state.

49.686(3)(b) (b) Has an infection that is certified by a physician to be an HIV infection.

49.686(3)(c) (c) Has a prescription issued by a physician for AZT, for pentamidine or for a drug approved for reimbursement under sub. (4) (c).

49.686(3)(d) (d) Has applied for coverage under and has been denied eligibility for medical assistance within 12 months prior to application for reimbursement under sub. (2). This paragraph does not apply to an individual who is eligible for benefits under the demonstration project for childless adults under s. 49.45 (23) or to an individual who is eligible for benefits under BadgerCare Plus under s. 49.471 (11).

49.686(3)(e) (e) Has no insurance coverage for AZT, the drug pentamidine or any drug approved for reimbursement under sub. (4) (c) or, if he or she has insurance coverage, the coverage is inadequate to pay the full cost of the individual’s prescribed dosage of AZT, the drug pentamidine or any drug approved for reimbursement under sub. (4) (c).

49.686(3)(f) (f) Is an individual whose annual gross household income is at or below 200 percent of the poverty line and, if funding is available under s. 20.435 (1) (i) or (m), is an individual whose annual gross household income is above 200 percent and at or below 300 percent of the poverty line.

49.686(4) (4) Departmental duties. The department shall do all of the following:

49.686(4)(a) (a) Determine the eligibility of individuals applying for reimbursement, or a supplement to the reimbursement, of the costs of AZT or the drug pentamidine.

49.686(4)(b) (b) Within the limits of sub. (5) and of the funds specified under sub. (2) and under a schedule that the department shall establish based on the ability of individuals to pay, reimburse or supplement the reimbursement of the eligible individuals.

49.686(4)(c) (c) After consulting with individuals, including those not employed by the department, with expertise in issues relative to drugs for the treatment of HIV infection and AIDS, determine which, if any, drugs that are cost-effective alternatives to AZT and pentamidine may also have costs reimbursed under this section.

49.686(5) (5) Reimbursement limitation. Reimbursement may not be made under this section for any portion of the costs of AZT, the drug pentamidine or any drug approved for reimbursement under sub. (4) (c) which are payable by an insurer, as defined in s. 600.03 (27).

49.686 History History: 1989 a. 31; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 16; 1995 a. 27 ss. 3061 to 3062d; Stats. 1995 s. 49.686; 1997 a. 27; 2001 a. 81; 2007 a. 20, 89; 2009 a. 28, 209; 2013 a. 20.

49.687 49.687 Disease aids; patient requirements; rebate agreements; cost containment.

49.687(1) (1) The department shall promulgate rules that require a person who is eligible for benefits under s. 49.68, 49.683, or 49.685 and whose estimated total family income for the current year is at or above 200 percent of the poverty line to obligate or expend specified portions of the income for medical care for treatment of kidney disease, cystic fibrosis, or hemophilia before receiving benefits under s. 49.68, 49.683, or 49.685. The rules shall require a person to pay 0.50 percent of his or her total family income for the cost of medical treatment covered under s. 49.68, 49.683, or 49.685 if that income is from 200 percent to 250 percent of the federal poverty line, 0.75 percent if that income is more than 250 percent but not more than 275 percent of the federal poverty line, 1 percent if that income is more than 275 percent but not more than 300 percent of the federal poverty line, 1.25 percent if that income is more than 300 percent but not more than 325 percent of the federal poverty line, 2 percent if that income is more than 325 percent but not more than 350 percent of the federal poverty line, 2.75 percent if that income is more than 350 percent but not more than 375 percent of the federal poverty line, 3.5 percent if that income is more than 375 percent but not more than 400 percent of the federal poverty line, and 4.5 percent if that income is more than 400 percent of the federal poverty line.

49.687(1m) (1m) 

49.687(1m)(a) (a) A person is not eligible to receive benefits under s. 49.68 or 49.683 unless before the person applies for benefits under s. 49.68 or 49.683, the person first applies for benefits under all other health care coverage programs specified by the department by rule for which the person reasonably may be eligible.

49.687(1m)(b) (b) The department shall promulgate rules that specify other health care coverage programs for which a person must apply before applying for benefits under s. 49.685. The department may waive the requirement under this paragraph for an applicant who requests a waiver for religious reasons.

49.687(1m)(c) (c) Using the procedure under s. 227.24, the department may promulgate rules under par. (b) for the period before the effective date of any permanent rules promulgated under par. (b), but not to exceed the period authorized under s. 227.24 (1) (c) and (2). Notwithstanding s. 227.24 (1) (a), (2) (b), and (3), the department is not required to provide evidence that promulgating a rule under par. (b) as an emergency rule is necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or welfare and is not required to make a finding of emergency for promulgating a rule under par. (b) as an emergency rule.

49.687(2) (2) The department shall develop and implement a sliding scale of patient liability for kidney disease aid under s. 49.68, cystic fibrosis aid under s. 49.683, and hemophilia treatment under s. 49.685, based on the patient’s ability to pay for treatment. The department shall continuously review the sliding scale for patient liability and revise it as needed to ensure that the amounts budgeted under s. 20.435 (4) (e) and (je) are sufficient to cover treatment costs.

49.687(2m) (2m) If a pharmacy directly bills the department or an entity with which the department contracts for a drug supplied to a person receiving benefits under s. 49.68, 49.683, or 49.685 and prescribed for treatment covered under s. 49.68, 49.683, or 49.685, the person shall pay a $7.50 copayment amount for each such generic drug and a $15 copayment amount for each such brand name drug.

49.687(3) (3) The department or an entity with which the department contracts shall provide to a drug manufacturer that sells drugs for prescribed use in this state documents designed for use by the manufacturer in entering into a rebate agreement with the department or entity that is modeled on the rebate agreement specified under 42 USC 1396r-8. The department or entity may enter into a rebate agreement under this subsection that shall include all of the following as requirements:

49.687(3)(a) (a) That, as a condition of coverage for prescription drugs of a manufacturer under s. 49.68, 49.683, or 49.685, the manufacturer shall make rebate payments for each prescription drug of the manufacturer that is prescribed for and purchased by persons who meet eligibility criteria under s. 49.68, 49.683, or 49.685, to the secretary of administration to be credited to the appropriation under s. 20.435 (4) (je), each calendar quarter or according to a schedule established by the department.

49.687(3)(b) (b) That the amount of the rebate payment shall be determined by a method specified in 42 USC 1396r-8 (c).

49.687(4) (4) The department may adopt managed care methods of cost containment for the programs under ss. 49.68, 49.683, and 49.685.

49.687(6) (6) The department shall obtain and share information about individuals who receive benefits under s. 49.68, 49.683, or 49.685 as provided in s. 49.475.

49.687 History History: 1983 a. 27; 1989 a. 56; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 16, 449; 1995 a. 27 ss. 3063 to 3065; Stats. 1995 s. 49.687; 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 16; 2003 a. 33, 198; 2007 a. 20.

49.687 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. DHS 154, Wis. adm. code.

49.688 49.688 Prescription drug assistance for elderly persons.

49.688(1) (1) In this section:

49.688(1)(a) (a) “Generic name” has the meaning given in s. 450.12 (1) (b).

49.688(1)(b) (b) “Poverty line” means the nonfarm federal poverty line for the continental United States, as defined in 42 USC 9902 (2).

49.688(1)(c) (c) “Prescription drug” means any of the following:

49.688(1)(c)1. 1. A prescription drug, as defined in s. 450.01 (20), that is included in the drugs specified under s. 49.46 (2) (b) 6. h. and that is manufactured by a drug manufacturer that enters into a rebate agreement in force under sub. (6).

49.688(1)(c)2. 2. A vaccination recommended for administration to adults by the federal centers for disease control and prevention’s advisory committee on immunization practices and approved for administration to adults by the department.

49.688(1)(d) (d) “Prescription order” has the meaning given in s. 450.01 (21).

49.688(1)(e) (e) “Program payment rate” means the rate of payment made for the identical drug specified under s. 49.46 (2) (b) 6. h. plus a dispensing fee that is equal to the dispensing fee permitted to be charged for prescription drugs for which coverage is provided under s. 49.46 (2) (b) 6. h.

49.688(2) (2) 

49.688(2)(a) (a) A person to whom all of the following applies is eligible to purchase a prescription drug for the amounts specified in sub. (5) (a) 1. and 2.:

49.688(2)(a)1. 1. The person is a resident, as defined in s. 27.01 (10) (a), of this state.

49.688(2)(a)2. 2. The person is at least 65 years of age.

49.688(2)(a)3. 3. The person is not a recipient of medical assistance or, as a recipient, does not receive prescription drug coverage.