(a) The department shall convene an advisory group to receive feedback on the changes, modifications, and operational timeframes regarding the implementation of pharmacy benefits offered in the Medi-Cal program. This advisory group shall be composed of organizations and entities such as hospitals, clinics, health plans, and consumer advocates.
(b) The department, through this advisory group as well as through other existing stakeholder meetings, shall provide regular updates on the pharmacy transition that include the following:
(1) A description of the changes in the division of responsibilities between the department and managed care plans as a result of a transition of the outpatient pharmacy benefit to fee-for-service.
(2) A description of anticipated changes, if any, to beneficiary access to prescription medications.
(c) The department shall include in the Governor’s proposed budget the fiscal assumptions for the transition of the outpatient pharmacy benefit to a fee-for-service benefit.