Four axes from current statute and agency guidance. Teal bar = substitution/assistance/access in place; amber = permissive or absent.
| Generic substitution mandate | Mandatory by statute |
| State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program | ConnPACE |
| 90-day fills permitted | Allowed |
| PMP mandatory prescriber query | Required by statute |
Connecticut mandates generic substitution. Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-619, a pharmacist shall substitute a less expensive equivalent drug product unless the prescriber has indicated "brand medically necessary" on the prescription. The substitute must be on the FDA Orange Book as therapeutically equivalent. The patient must be informed.
The Connecticut Department of Social Services administers HUSKY Health (CT Medicaid + CHIP) and maintains the Connecticut Medical Assistance Program PDL. Connecticut operates Medicaid primarily as fee-for-service (Connecticut returned Medicaid to fee-for-service in 2012). Non-preferred drugs require prior authorization initiated by the prescriber.
Preferred Drug List: View current PDL
Prior authorization contact: Connecticut HUSKY Pharmacy: 1-866-409-8430
Connecticut formerly operated ConnPACE (Connecticut Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract to the Elderly and Disabled), a Medicare-recognized SPAP. The program was closed to new enrollment in 2014 but continues to provide benefits to legacy enrollees. New low-income seniors should apply for federal Medicare Part D Extra Help and the Medicare Savings Program through DSS. ConnPACE legacy benefits count as creditable Medicare coverage.
Eligibility: ConnPACE was closed to new enrollment effective 2014 but continues operating for legacy enrollees. New low-income seniors should apply for federal Extra Help (LIS) and Medicare Savings Programs instead.
Connecticut permits 90-day fills of non-controlled chronic medications at retail and mail-order pharmacies. Out-of-state pharmacies must hold a Connecticut Nonresident Pharmacy license from DCP. Connecticut requires e-prescribing for controlled substances under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 21a-249a. Federal CSA refill limits apply.
Connecticut operates the CPMRS, the Connecticut Prescription Monitoring and Reporting System. Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 21a-254, prescribers must check CPMRS before issuing prescriptions of certain controlled substances. Dispensers must report Schedule II-V dispensing within 24 hours.
PMP portal: Connecticut Prescription Monitoring and Reporting System (CPMRS)
Connecticut hosts a substantial 340B network including Yale New Haven Health, Hartford HealthCare, FQHCs across Bridgeport/Hartford/New Haven, and Ryan White clinics.
Find a 340B clinic in Connecticut: HRSA OPAIS database (CT filter)
Our sister site OmniRx maintains a federal-side patient assistance program directory covering manufacturer PAPs, foundation copay assistance, GoodRx-style discount cards, and 340B locators applicable nationwide.
Once the law side is clear, the next question is which pharmacy actually has the cheapest fill. Use the RxGrab Pharmacy Finder to compare CostPlus Drugs, Costco, Walmart, Amazon Pharmacy, and other discount pharmacies on your specific medication, and read our generic vs brand explainer for the bioequivalence rules behind every substitution.
Yes by default they must under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-619, unless your prescriber wrote "brand medically necessary."
No. ConnPACE has been closed to new enrollment since 2014. The program continues for legacy enrollees but new applicants should apply for federal Medicare Part D Extra Help (LIS) and the Medicare Savings Program through Connecticut DSS.
Connecticut returned Medicaid to fee-for-service in 2012, so most HUSKY Health members access pharmacy through the unified state PDL rather than managed-care formularies. Non-preferred drugs need prior auth.
Yes for certain controlled-substance prescriptions under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 21a-254.