State of Iowa
Department of Health and Human Services
This webpage serves as a centralized resource for Iowa Medicaid-related pharmacy program documentation and information relating to the average actual acquisition cost (AAC) and the Cost of Dispensing survey.
Pharmacy Average Actual Acquisition Cost
The 84th Iowa General Assembly enacted during the 2012 Iowa Legislative Session the requirement that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) perform a cost of dispensing survey and implement an average AAC reimbursement methodology for all drugs. (Senate File 2336, Section 33). Additionally, pharmacies must make available drug acquisition invoice information upon request. Any dispensing fee expenses or acquisition cost information required to be submitted under this legislation that specifically identifies a pharmacy or provider’s individual cost will remain confidential.
Average AAC rates will be updated on a weekly or more frequent basis. Rates will be updated by adjustments reflecting relative changes in published drug prices, and new drug acquisition costs collected through surveys or provider initiated inquiries.
For pharmacy reimbursement related Informational Letters (ILs), refer to the Iowa Medicaid Informational Letters webpage. The following table lists relevant letters related to pharmacy reimbursement updates.
|
Informational Letter Number |
Description |
|---|---|
|
1136 |
Reimbursement Changes for Pharmacy and Important Dates #1 |
|
1153 |
Reimbursement Changes for Pharmacy and Important Dates #2 |
|
1173 |
Reimbursement Changes for Pharmacy and Important Dates #3 |
|
1201 |
Reimbursement Changes for Pharmacy and Important Dates #4 |
|
1207 |
Reimbursement Changes for Pharmacy and Important Dates #5 |
|
1250 |
Pharmacy Reimbursement |
|
1646 |
Updated – Federal Upper Limit (FUL) Pharmacy Reimbursement |
Related Documents
Average Acquisition Cost Lists
Average AAC Informational Notices
AAC Rate Review Request
Pharmacy Cost of Dispensing
The 85th Iowa General Assembly enacted during the 2013 Iowa Legislative session the requirement that HHS base the pharmacy dispensing fee on the cost of dispensing survey performed by the department. Pursuant to this legislation, pharmacies that participate in the Medical Assistance program are required to complete the cost of dispensing survey every two years, beginning in fiscal year 2014-2015. (2013 Iowa Acts, Senate File 446, section 29). Any dispensing fee expenses required to be submitted under this legislation that specifically identifies a pharmacy or provider’s individual cost will remain confidential.
For questions with regards to the cost of dispensing survey, please contact Myers & Stauffer at 800-374-6858, or disp_survey@mslc.com.
For pharmacy reimbursement related Informational Letters (ILs), refer to the Iowa Medicaid Informational Letters webpage. The following table lists relevant letters related to pharmacy cost-of-dispensing surveys and dispensing fee updates.
|
Informational Letter Number |
Description |
|---|---|
|
1614 |
Pharmacy Cost of Dispensing Survey |
|
1783-MC-FFS |
Iowa Medicaid Pharmacy Dispensing Fee Decrease |
|
1875-MC-FFS |
Pharmacy Cost of Dispensing Survey |
|
1925-MC-FFS |
Pharmacy Dispensing Fee Increase |
|
2095-MC-FFS |
Pharmacy Cost of Dispensing Survey |
|
2282-MC-FFS |
Pharmacy Dispensing Fee Increase |
|
2306-MC-FFS |
2022 Pharmacy Cost of Dispensing Survey |
Related Documents
Cost of Dispensing Materials
Pharmacy Program Resources
Relevant Information & Helpful Links
Contact information
General Contact
Help Desk Phone: 800-591-1183
Phone: 317-816-4136
Fax: 317-571-8481
Email: iapharmacy@mslc.com
Cost of Dispensing Survey
Phone: 800-374-6858
Email: disp_survey@mslc.com
Address
Myers & Stauffer Iowa Medicaid Provider Cost Audit & Rate Setting Unit:
800 East 96th Street, Suite 200
Indianapolis, Indiana 46240
Information and materials on this site may not be published or used except as provided under the terms and conditions listed in the legal disclaimer or as otherwise noted on the site without written permission of the State of Iowa, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and/or Myers and Stauffer LC.