SB2677: Pharmacy Benefit Prompt Pay Act; define requirements for pharmacy benefit managers and pharmacy services administrative organizations.

Legislative Summary

An Act To Amend Section 73-21-151, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Reference New Sections In The Pharmacy Benefit Prompt Pay Act; To Amend Section 73-21-153, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Define New Terms And Revise The Definitions Of Existing Terms Under The Pharmacy Benefit Prompt Pay Act; To Amend Section 73-21-155, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Require A Pharmacy Benefit Manager To Make Prompt Payment To A Pharmacy; To Amend Section 73-21-156, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Require Pharmacy Benefit Managers To Provide A Reasonable Administrative Appeal Procedure To Allow Pharmacies To Challenge A Reimbursement For A Specific Drug Or Drugs As Being Below The Reimbursement Rate Required By The Preceding Provision; To Provide That If The Appeal Is Upheld, The Pharmacy Benefit Manager Shall Make The Change In The Payment To The Required Reimbursement Rate; To Amend Section 73-21-157, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Require A Pharmacy Services Administrative Organization (psao) To Be Licensed With The Mississippi Board Of Pharmacy; To Require A Psao To Provide To A Pharmacy Or Pharmacist A Copy Of Any Contract Entered Into On Behalf Of The Pharmacy Or Pharmacist By The Psao; To Create New Section 73-21-158, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Prohibit A Pharmacy Benefit Manager, Psao, Carrier Or Health Plan From Spread Pricing; To Amend Section 73-21-161, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Prohibit A Pharmacy Benefit Manager Or Pharmacy Benefit Manager Affiliates From Ordering A Patient To Use A Specific Pharmacy Or Pharmacies, Including An Affiliate Pharmacy; Offering Or Implementing Plan Designs That Penalize A Patient When A Patient Chooses Not To Use A Particular Pharmacy, Including An Affiliate Pharmacy; Advertising Or Promoting A Pharmacy, Including An Affiliate Pharmacy, Over Another In-network Pharmacy; Creating Network Or Engaging In Practices That Exclude An In-network Pharmacy; Engaging In A Practice That Attempts To Limit The Distribution Of A Prescription Drug To Certain Pharmacies; Interfering With The Patient's Right To Choose The Patient's Pharmacy Or Provider Of Choice; To Provide That This Section Does Not Apply To Facilities Licensed To Fill Prescriptions Solely For Employees Of A Plan Sponsor Or Employer; To Create New Section 73-21-162, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Prohibit Pharmacy Benefit Managers, Pharmacy Benefit Manager Affiliates And Pharmacy Services Administrative Organizations (psaos) From Penalizing Or Retaliating Against A Pharmacist, Pharmacy Or Pharmacy Employee For Exercising Any Rights Under This Act, Initiating Any Judicial Or Regulatory Actions, Or Appearing Before Any Governmental Agency, Legislative Member Or Body Or Any Judicial Authority; To Amend Section 73-21-163, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Authorize The Board Of Pharmacy, For The Purposes Of Conducting Investigations, To Conduct Examinations Of A Pharmacy Benefit Manager Or Psao And To Issue Subpoenas To Obtain Documents Or Records That It Deems Relevant To The Investigation; To Create New Section 73-21-165, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Require Each Drug Manufacturer To Submit A Report To The Board Of Pharmacy That Includes The Current Wholesale Acquisition Cost; To Require Such Entities To Provide The Board Of Pharmacy With Various Drug Pricing Information Within A Certain Time; To Require Pharmacy Benefit Managers And Psaos To File A Report With The Board Of Pharmacy; To Require Each Health Insurer To Submit A Report To The Board Of Pharmacy That Includes Certain Drug Prescription Information; To Create New Section 73-21-167, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Require The Board Of Pharmacy To Develop A Website To Publish Information Related To The Act; To Create New Section 73-21-169, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Require Pharmacy Benefit Managers And Psaos To Identify Ownership Affiliation Of Any Kind To The Board Of Pharmacy; And For Related Purposes.