Statehouse News Bureau

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Medicaid Hopes To Reduce Confusion, Stress With Preferred Drugs List

By Andy Chow

Published January 6, 2020 at 9:04 PM EST

Ohio Medicaid Director Maureen Corcoran [Andy Chow / Statehouse News Bureau] — Maureen Corcoran, Ohio Medicaid Director

Ohio’s Medicaid program has rolled out a new tool, the Unified Preferred Drug List, that's meant improve communication between patients, doctors and pharmacists.

The list names all the preferred medications under Medicaid, using both the brand and generic names.

It also makes health providers aware of what is preferred by Medicaid even if it's not on the health plan's list, which can alleviate the stress of getting medication, said Ohio Medicaid Director Maureen Corcoran.

"To have that be more streamlined, to be able to count on it, and to not have any of these potential confusion that can occur among drugs is really, really important," Corcoran said. "So that families get what they need in a timely way and they're not left without their medication."

Ohio has been working on improving the Medicaid experience for recipients and providers through conducting surveys, she said, and making the move to a single pharmacy benefit manager.