Welcome to NYRx, the Medicaid Drug Program

The New York State Medicaid Drug Program, NYRx, covers medically necessary FDA approved prescription and non-prescription drugs for Medicaid members. Prescription drugs require a prescription order with appropriate required information. Non-prescription drugs, often referred to as Over-the-Counter or OTC drugs, require a fiscal order (a fiscal order contains all the same information contained on a prescription). Certain drugs/drug categories require the prescribers to obtain prior authorization. Information on this benefit can be found in the New York State Medicaid State Plan Amendment.

As of April 1, 2023, Medicaid members enrolled in mainstream Managed Care (MC) plans, Health and Recovery Plans (HARPs), and HIV-Special Needs Plans (SNPs) had their pharmacy benefits transitioned to NYRx, the Medicaid Drug Program. The transition did not apply to members enrolled in Managed Long-Term Care plans (e.g., PACE, MAP, and MLTC), the Essential Plan, or Child Health Plus.

NYRx also covers practitioner administered drugs for members enrolled in Medicaid Fee-For-Service. These are medical drugs administered by a practitioner in an office, clinic, or outpatient setting.

Program and billing policy and other drug related information can be found in the NYS MMIS Pharmacy Provider Manual and the Department's Medicaid Update. You may also contact us at NYRx@health.ny.gov or (518) 486-3209 for Medicaid pharmacy and medical drug policy related questions.