The Georgia legislature has taken an aggressive step against the PBM business practice of patient steering.
The Pharmacy Anti-Steering and Transparency Act (H.B. 233) seeks to prohibit PBM and payer owned pharmacies from filling prescriptions that were received through prohibited referrals from their PBM and insurer affiliates.
According to the new law, “the referral of a patient to a pharmacy by an affiliate for pharmacy care represents a potential conflict of interest.” Furthermore, “These referral practices may limit or eliminate competitive alternatives in the health care services market, may result in overutilization of health care services, may increase costs to the health care system, may adversely affect the quality of health care, may disproportionately harm patients in rural and medically underserved areas of Georgia and shall be against the public policy of this state.”
The enacting of H.B. 223 opens the door for other states to pass similar laws to combat PBM patient steering, among other PBM abusive practices that negatively impact independent pharmacies. Frier Levitt Government Affairs (FLGA) assists pharmacies, pharmacy associations, and other stakeholders introduce and lobby similar legislation in their states, based on their interests, priorities, and other elements not fully addressed by current laws.
Contact FLGA today to get started in putting together a solid legislative strategy.