Chapter 49

49.688(3)(b)1. 1. For each 12-month benefit period, for a person specified in sub. (2) (a), a deductible for prescription drugs that is based on the percentage that a person’s annual household income, as determined by the department, is of the federal poverty line for a family the size of the person’s eligible family, as follows:

49.688(3)(b)1.a. a. One hundred sixty percent or less, no deductible.

49.688(3)(b)1.b. b. More than 160 percent, but not more than 200 percent, $500.

49.688(3)(b)1.c. c. More than 200 percent, but not more than 240 percent, $850.

49.688(3)(b)2. 2. For each 12-month benefit period, for a person specified in sub. (2) (b), a deductible for prescription drugs that equals all of the following:

49.688(3)(b)2.a. a. The difference between the person’s annual household income and 240 percent of the federal poverty line for a family the size of the person’s eligible family.

49.688(3)(b)2.b. b. Eight hundred fifty dollars.

49.688(3)(c) (c) After payment of any applicable deductible under par. (b), all of the following:

49.688(3)(c)1. 1. A copayment of $5 for each prescription drug that bears only a generic name.

49.688(3)(c)2. 2. A copayment of $15 for each prescription drug that does not bear only a generic name.

49.688(3)(d) (d) If a person who is eligible under this section has other available coverage for payment of a prescription drug, this section applies only to costs for prescription drugs for the person that are not covered under the person’s other available coverage.

49.688(3m) (3m) Per a prescription order by the prescribing health care provider, a person eligible under sub. (2) may purchase, and a pharmacist, pharmacy, or dispensing physician may dispense, a prescription drug authorized under administrative rules promulgated by the department and otherwise covered under this section at the rates provided in this section in amounts up to a 100-day supply.

49.688(4) (4) The department shall devise and distribute a form for application for the program under sub. (2), shall determine eligibility for each 12-month benefit period of applicants and shall issue to eligible persons a prescription drug card for use in purchasing prescription drugs, as specified in sub. (5). The department shall promulgate rules that specify the criteria to be used to determine household income under sub. (2) (a) 4. and (b) and (3) (b) 1.

49.688(5) (5) 

49.688(5)(a) (a) Beginning on September 1, 2002, except as provided in sub. (7) (b), as a condition of participation by a pharmacy or pharmacist in the program under s. 49.45, 49.46, 49.47, or 49.471, the pharmacy or pharmacist may not charge a person who presents a valid prescription order and a card indicating that he or she meets eligibility requirements under sub. (2) an amount for a prescription drug under the order that exceeds the following:

49.688(5)(a)1. 1. For a deductible, as specified in sub. (3) (b) 1. and 2. b., the program payment rate.

49.688(5)(a)2. 2. After any applicable deductible under subd. 1. is charged, the copayment, as applicable, that is specified in sub. (3) (c) 1. or 2. No dispensing fee may be charged to a person under this subdivision.

49.688(5)(a)3. 3. For a deductible, as specified in sub. (3) (b) 2. a., the retail price.

49.688(5)(a)4. 4. After the deductible under subd. 3. is charged, the copayment, as applicable, that is specified in sub. (3) (c) 1. or 2. No dispensing fee may be charged to a person under this subdivision.

49.688(5)(b) (b) The department shall calculate and transmit to pharmacies and pharmacists that are certified providers of medical assistance amounts that may be used in calculating charges under par. (a). The department shall periodically update this information and transmit the updated amounts to pharmacies and pharmacists.

49.688(6) (6) 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. A rebate agreement under this subsection shall include all of the following as requirements:

49.688(6)(a) (a) That, except as provided in sub. (7) (b), the manufacturer shall make rebate payments for each prescription drug of the manufacturer that is prescribed for and purchased by persons who meet criteria under sub. (2) (a) and persons who meet criteria under sub. (2) (b) and have paid the deductible under sub. (3) (b) 2. a., to the secretary of administration to be credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.435 (4) (j), each calendar quarter or according to a schedule established by the department.

49.688(6)(b) (b) That, except as provided in sub. (7) (b), the amount of the rebate payment shall be determined by a method specified in 42 USC 1396r-8 (c).

49.688(7) (7) 

49.688(7)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), from the appropriation accounts under s. 20.435 (4) (bv), (j), and (pg), beginning on September 1, 2002, the department shall, under a schedule that is identical to that used by the department for payment of pharmacy provider claims under medical assistance, provide to pharmacies and pharmacists payments for prescription drugs sold by the pharmacies or pharmacists to persons eligible under sub. (2) who have paid the deductible specified under sub. (3) (b) 1. or 2. or who, under sub. (3) (b) 1., are not required to pay a deductible. The payment for each prescription drug under this paragraph shall be at the program payment rate, minus any copayment paid by the person under sub. (5) (a) 2. or 4., and plus, if applicable, incentive payments that are similar to those provided under s. 49.45 (8v). The department shall devise and distribute a claim form for use by pharmacies and pharmacists under this paragraph and may limit payment under this paragraph to those prescription drugs for which payment claims are submitted by pharmacists or pharmacies directly to the department. The department may apply to the program under this section the same utilization and cost control procedures that apply under rules promulgated by the department to medical assistance under subch. IV of ch. 49.

49.688(7)(b) (b) During any period in which funding under s. 20.435 (4) (bv) and (pg) is completely expended for the payments specified in par. (a), the requirements of par. (a) and subs. (3) (c), (5), and (6) (a) and (b) do not apply to drugs purchased during that period, but the department shall continue to accept applications and determine eligibility under sub. (4) and shall indicate to applicants that the eligibility of program participants to purchase prescription drugs as specified in sub. (3), under the requirements of sub. (5), is conditioned on the availability of funding under s. 20.435 (4) (bv) and (pg).

49.688(8m) (8m) The department shall obtain and share information about participants in the program under this section as provided in s. 49.475.

49.688(9) (9) 

49.688(9)(a) (a) The department shall promulgate rules relating to prohibitions on fraud that are substantially similar to applicable provisions under s. 946.91 (2).

49.688(9)(b) (b) A person who is convicted of violating a rule promulgated by the department under par. (a) in connection with that person’s furnishing of prescription drugs under this section is guilty of a Class H felony, except that, notwithstanding the maximum fine specified in s. 939.50 (3) (h), the person may be fined not more than $25,000.

49.688(9)(c) (c) A person other than a person specified in par. (b) who is convicted of violating a rule promulgated by the department under par. (a) may be fined not more than $10,000, or imprisoned in the county jail for not more than one year, or both.

49.688(10) (10) If federal law is amended to provide coverage for prescription drugs for outpatient care as a benefit under medicare or to provide similar coverage under another program, the department shall submit to appropriate standing committees of the legislature under s. 13.172 (3) a report that contains an analysis of the differences between such a federal program and the program under this section and that provides recommendations concerning alignment, if any, of the differences.

49.688(10m) (10m) 

49.688(10m)(a) (a) Notwithstanding subs. (6) and (7) (a), from the appropriation accounts under s. 20.435 (4) (bv), (j), and (pg), except as provided under sub. (7) (b), the department shall, under a schedule that is identical to that used by the department for payment of claims under the Medical Assistance program, provide to health care providers who administer vaccinations, including pharmacies and pharmacists, payments for vaccinations, as described under sub. (1) (c) 2., that are administered by health care providers to persons eligible under sub. (2) who have paid the deductible specified under sub. (3) (b) 1. or 2., or who, under sub. (3) (b) 1., are not required to pay a deductible. The reimbursement to a health care provider for each vaccination under this subsection shall be at the rate of payment made for the identical vaccination under s. 49.46 (2) (b), plus a dispensing fee that is equal to the dispensing fee permitted to be charged for vaccinations for which coverage is provided under s. 49.46 (2) (b). The department shall devise and distribute a claim form for use by health care providers under this subsection and may limit payment under this subsection to those vaccinations for which payment claims are submitted by health care providers directly to the department. The department may apply to the program under this subsection the same utilization and cost control procedures that apply under rules promulgated by the department to medical assistance under subch. IV of ch. 49.

49.688(10m)(b) (b) The department may provide payment for a vaccination under this subsection only after deducting the amount of any payment for the vaccination available from other sources.

49.688(11) (11) The department shall request from the federal secretary of health and human services a waiver, under 42 USC 1315 (a), of federal medicaid laws necessary to permit the department of health services to conduct a project, under all of the requirements of this section, to expand eligibility for medical assistance, for purposes of receipt of prescription drugs as a benefit, to include individuals who are eligible under sub. (2). The department may implement a waiver requested under this subsection only if the conditions of the waiver are consistent with the requirements of this section. The department shall implement the program under this section regardless of whether a waiver, as specified in this subsection, is received.

49.688(12) (12) Except as provided in subs. (8m) to (11) and except for the department’s rule-making requirements and authority, the department may enter into a contract with an entity to perform the duties and exercise the powers of the department under this section.

49.688 History History: 2001 a. 16, 109; 2003 a. 33; 2007 a. 20 ss. 1651, 1655, 9121 (6) (a); 2009 a. 28; 2013 a. 226; 2019 a. 185; 2021 a. 239; 2023 a. 71.

49.688 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. DHS 109, Wis. adm. code.

49.70 49.70 County home; establishment.

49.70(1) (1) Each county may establish a county home for the relief and support of dependent persons pursuant to s. 46.17.

49.70(2) (2) In all counties whose population is less than 250,000 such county home shall be governed pursuant to ss. 46.18, 46.19 and 46.20.

49.70(3) (3) No county in which a county home is established shall contract to conduct the same or to support and maintain the inmates thereof; and all agreements in violation of this subsection are void.

49.70(4) (4) The trustees or any person employed by the county board pursuant to subs. (1) and (2), may administer oaths concerning any matter submitted to the trustees or person employed by the county board, in connection with their functions.

49.70(5) (5) The uniform accounting system established by s. 50.03 (10) shall be used by each county home and shall be subject to the conditions enumerated therein.

49.70 History History: 1971 c. 125; 1975 c. 413 s. 18; 1977 c. 26 s. 75; 1991 a. 316; 1995 a. 27 ss. 2810 to 2815; Stats. 1995 s. 49.70.

49.70 Annotation A county did not violate sub. (3) by terminating county home operations, conveying the home’s assets, and leasing the physical plant to a private operator. Local Union No. 2490 v. Waukesha County, 143 Wis. 2d 438, 422 N.W.2d 117 (Ct. App. 1988).

49.703 49.703 County homes; commitments; admissions.

49.703(1) (1) Any person upon his or her application to the board of trustees may be admitted to the county home upon such terms as may be prescribed by the board. If the person or his or her relatives are unable to pay for his or her care and maintenance the person may be admitted as a charge of the county of his or her residence.

49.703(3) (3) The county board of any county may by resolution provide that the county shall bear the expense of maintaining all dependent persons committed or admitted to the county home, and may repeal any resolution adopted under this subsection.

49.703 History History: 1977 c. 428, 1985 a. 29; 1995 a. 27 ss. 2816, 2817, 2819; Stats. 1995 s. 49.703.

49.71 49.71 County hospitals; establishment.

49.71(1) (1) Each county may establish a county hospital for the treatment of dependent persons, under s. 46.17, and other persons authorized under s. 46.21 (4m).

49.71(2) (2) In counties with a population of 750,000 or more, an institution established under sub. (1) shall be governed under s. 46.21 or 59.79 (10), but in all other counties it shall be governed under ss. 46.18, 46.19, and 46.20.

49.71(3) (3) The uniform accounting system established by s. 50.03 (10) shall be used by each county hospital and shall be subject to the conditions enumerated therein.

49.71 History History: 1971 c. 125; 1975 c. 413 s. 18; 1977 c. 26 s. 75; 1985 a. 176; 1993 a. 186; 1995 a. 27 ss. 2820 to 2823; Stats. 1995 s. 49.71; 1995 a. 201; 2015 a. 172.

49.713 49.713 County hospitals; admissions.

49.713(1) (1) Any person upon application to the board of trustees may be admitted to the county hospital upon such terms as may be prescribed by the board. If the person or his or her relatives are unable to pay for his or her care and maintenance the person may be admitted as a charge of the county of his or her residence.

49.713(3) (3) The county board of any county may by resolution provide that the county shall bear the expense of maintaining all dependent persons admitted to the county hospital, and may repeal any resolution adopted under this subsection.

49.713 History History: 1985 a. 29; 1995 a. 27 ss. 2824, 2825, 2827; Stats. 1995 s. 49.713.

49.72 49.72 County infirmaries; establishment.

49.72(1) (1) Each county, or any 2 or more counties jointly, may establish, pursuant to s. 46.17 or 46.20 a county infirmary for the treatment, care and maintenance of the aged infirm.

49.72(2) (2) In counties with a population of 750,000 or more, such institution shall be governed pursuant to s. 46.21, but in all other counties it shall be governed pursuant to ss. 46.18, 46.19, and 46.20.

49.72(3) (3) As used in ss. 49.72 to 49.726:

49.72(3)(a) (a) An aged infirm person is a person over the age of 65 years so incapacitated mentally by the degenerative processes of old age, or so incapacitated physically, as to require continuing infirmary care.

49.72(3)(b) (b) A county infirmary is a county institution created pursuant to sub. (1) or (2) under the general supervision and inspection of the department pursuant to ss. 46.16 and 46.17 as to adequacy of equipment and staff to treat, care for and maintain the physical and mental needs of aged infirm persons.

49.72(4) (4) The uniform accounting system established by s. 50.03 (10) shall be used by each county infirmary and shall be subject to the conditions enumerated therein.

49.72 History History: 1971 c. 125; 1975 c. 413 s. 18; 1977 c. 26 s. 75; 1995 a. 27 ss. 2828 to 2834; Stats. 1995 s. 49.72; 2015 a. 172.

49.723 49.723 County infirmaries, admissions; standards.

49.723(1) (1) The following standards shall apply to admissions to a county infirmary:

49.723(1)(a) (a) The primary standard shall be need of infirmary care, rather than ability to pay for care, and no person shall be excluded from an infirmary solely because of ability or inability to pay for care.

49.723(1)(b) (b) The person admitted must be an aged infirm individual, and it must be reasonably apparent that unless admitted the person will be without adequate care.

49.723(1)(cm) (cm) Except as provided in par. (d), any person who meets the standards for admission is eligible for admission.

49.723(1)(d) (d) An applicant who has removed residence to Wisconsin from a state which requires that one who has removed residence from Wisconsin to that state reside in the latter more than one year before being eligible for a similar type of care shall be required to reside in this state for a like period before becoming eligible for admission.

49.723(2) (2) The board of trustees of a county infirmary, subject to regulations approved by the county board, shall establish rules and regulations governing the admission and discharge of voluntary patients.

49.723(3) (3) If it appears to the satisfaction of the circuit court for the county in which an infirmary is located, upon petition for commitment, that a person meets the standards under sub. (1), it may, after affording the person an opportunity to be heard in person or by someone on his or her behalf, commit the person to a county infirmary. The power to commit includes persons who entered an infirmary voluntarily. The court may also, on petition and after a hearing, order the discharge of any patient, upon a showing that the patient is no longer in need of infirmary care, or that the patient can be adequately cared for elsewhere.

49.723(4) (4) The board of trustees on receipt of an application for voluntary admission, or the circuit court on the filing of a petition for commitment, shall appoint a person licensed to practice medicine and surgery in this state to examine personally the applicant or the subject of the petition and to advise the board or court whether such person meets the standard prescribed by sub. (1) (a).

49.723(5) (5) The department shall prescribe and prepare the forms to be used for the voluntary admission or commitment of patients.

49.723(6) (6) The circuit court in the case of a commitment, and the board of trustees in the case of a voluntary admission, shall pass on the economic status of the patient at the time of commitment or admission, and in all cases in which the patient has residence in another county shall notify the county of residence of the fact of such commitment or admission.

49.723 History History: 1977 c. 449 ss. 130, 497; 1985 a. 29; 1989 a. 359; 1995 a. 27 s. 2835; Stats. 1995 s. 49.723; 1995 a. 225.

49.726 49.726 County infirmaries; cost of treatment, care and maintenance of patients.

49.726(1) (1) In the first instance the county or counties operating an infirmary shall defray the actual per capita cost of treatment, care and maintenance. To the extent that a patient is a public charge, such county or counties shall be reimbursed for such expenditures, as determined from annual infirmary reports filed with the department under s. 46.18 (8), (9) and (10), by the county of residence.

49.726(2) (2) To the extent that a patient is not a public charge, such cost shall be charged and paid in advance for each calendar month, and payment may be enforced by the board of trustees.

49.726(4) (4) The records and accounts of each county infirmary may be audited by the department. In addition to other findings, such audits shall ascertain compliance with the mandatory uniform cost record-keeping system requirements of s. 46.18 (8), (9) and (10), and verify the actual per person cost of maintenance, care and treatment of patients.

49.726 History History: 1971 c. 108 ss. 5, 6; 1971 c. 125 s. 523; 1985 a. 29; 1995 a. 27 s. 2836; Stats. 1995 s. 49.726.

49.729 49.729 County infirmaries; fees and expenses of proceedings. The fees of examining physicians, witnesses and guardians ad litem and other expenses of proceedings under ss. 49.72 to 49.726 shall be governed by s. 51.20 (18).

49.729 History History: 1975 c. 430 s. 80; 1977 c. 428 s. 115; 1995 a. 27 s. 2837; Stats. 1995 s. 49.729.

49.73 49.73 Residential care institutions; establishment.

49.73(1) (1) Any county or combination of counties may establish and staff a county residential care institution for the reception and care of dependent persons which shall be governed by the county board. The institution shall be licensed under s. 50.03 by the department before receiving or caring for any dependent person.