(a) The department of health is authorized to develop and implement a prescription drug discount plan, which shall be known as “Volunteer Rx,” or, if the department of health deems appropriate, may contract for, pursuant to state purchasing laws, a prescription drug discount plan. The purpose of this section is to assist in providing, when possible, cost savings on medications for uninsured Tennesseans, or for insured Tennesseans whose insurance does not provide for prescription drug coverage on or after January 1, 2005.
Terms Used In Tennessee Code 56-57-102
Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
Entitlement: A Federal program or provision of law that requires payments to any person or unit of government that meets the eligibility criteria established by law. Entitlements constitute a binding obligation on the part of the Federal Government, and eligible recipients have legal recourse if the obligation is not fulfilled. Social Security and veterans' compensation and pensions are examples of entitlement programs.
Prescription drug discount plan: means any card or other purchasing mechanism or device, that is not insurance, that purports to offer discounts or access to discounts to any person for the retail purchase of prescription drugs from licensed pharmacies. See Tennessee Code 56-57-101
State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), the department of health may, if funding is made available through the general appropriations act, provide benefits through the prescription drug discount plan. The benefits would be limited by the funds specifically appropriated for that purpose. The department of health shall also have the authority to develop and implement prescription drug discount plans targeted for specific defined populations. The plans may also incorporate benefits; provided, that funds are specifically allocated for the benefits in the general appropriations act.(c) In developing the plans authorized by this section, the department of health may consider the use of different means to lower the overall cost to participants, including, but not limited to, the payment or waiver of any membership fees, as well as the use of cost-sharing arrangements and deductibles.(d) Nothing in the creation of a prescription drug discount program, pursuant to this section, shall be construed as creating any entitlement by any individuals or entities to any services or medications.
