The MO HealthNet Division (MHD) is responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus. The virus has been named "SARS-CoV-2" and the disease it causes has been named "coronavirus disease 2019" (abbreviated "COVID-19").
The MHD has received several inquiries from pharmacy providers regarding the hot tip "COVID-19: Pharmacy Copayment Exemption" released on May 6, 2020. The MHD does not send copay information to pharmacies in the pharmacy point of sale transaction. The switch vendor or the pharmacy’s software applies the copay. The MHD has reached out to the switch vendors and several pharmacy software vendors to alert them to the change of copays due to COVID-19. Several companies are having difficulties or are unable to make these changes. While pharmacy switch vendors and software vendors are making the necessary changes, pharmacies should waive all copays prior to dispensing MO HealthNet covered medications.
The MHD is only waiving copays during the pandemic. A hot tip will be sent to providers when to begin charging copays again.
The removal of copays does not apply to the MORx program.