105 ILCS 55/20

(105 ILCS 55/20)

Sec. 20. Prescription drug benefits; program.

(a) Beginning July 1, 2005, the Department shall be responsible for administering the prescription drug benefit program established under this Act for employees, annuitants, and dependents on a non-insured basis.

(b) For each program year, the Department shall set a date by which school districts must notify the Department of their election to participate in the prescription drug benefit program. The Department shall provide notification of the election date to school districts at least 45 days prior to the election date.

(c) Any school district may apply to the Director to have employees, annuitants, and dependents be provided a prescription drug benefit program under this Act. To participate, a school district must agree to enroll all of its employees. A participating school district is not required to enroll a full-time employee who has waived coverage under the district's health plan.

(d) The Director shall determine the insurance rates and premiums for those employees, annuitants, and dependents participating in the prescription drug benefit program. Rates and premiums may be based in part on age and eligibility for federal Medicare coverage.

A school district must remit the entire cost of providing prescription drug coverage under this Section.

(e) All revenues arising from the administration of the prescription drug benefit program shall be deposited into the Illinois Prescription Drug Discount Program Fund.

(f) The prescription drug benefit program shall be maintained on an ongoing, affordable basis, and the cost to school districts shall not exceed the State's actual program costs. The prescription drug benefit program may be changed by the State and is not intended to be a pension or retirement benefit subject to protection under Section 5 of Article XIII of the Illinois Constitution.

(Source: P.A. 93-1036, eff. 9-14-04; 94-91, eff. 7-1-05.)