On May 13, 2005, the Department announced the following policy change.

Based on feedback from the pharmacy community, the Department has implemented a policy to ensure a minimum script reimbursement when establishing MAC prices.

Effective June 1, 2005, based on average units per script, where possible, the Department has set MAC prices per unit so that the total reimbursement for a script, including dispensing fee, will be at least $8.00. With a generic dispensing fee of $4.60, this means that we will try to ensure the ingredient reimbursement equates to at least $3.40. Therefore, if our data shows average units per script for a GCN is 30, the unit MAC price will not be less than $0.1133.

It is important to realize that not every script will meet this target minimum reimbursement. For example, if either the Federal Upper Limit (FUL) or the AWP-25% formula result in a lower per unit cost, or if the script size is fewer than the average units per script, the reimbursement will be less than the $8 minimum.

MACs previously posted by Myers & Stauffer that are lower than $8 have been adjusted effective June 1. The new MACs have been posted to the Myers & Stauffer website at www.mslcillinois.com.