Over the last week, three states- Alabama, Illinois and Louisiana- sent legislation to their respective Governor’s to sign aimed at fighting back against Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). Highlights of the pending legislative bills include:
Alabama SB 73
Effective January 1, 2020, a PBM must be licensed by the Commissioner. The legislation also prohibits gag clauses. Furthermore, a health plan may not include a provision that requires an enrollee to make a payment for a prescription drug at the point of sale in an amount that exceeds the lessor of:
1. the contracted co-payment amount; or
2. the amount an individual would pay for a prescription if that individual were paying with cash.
Illinois HB 465
This bill states that a contract between a health insurer and PBM must:
1. Require the PBM to update maximum allowable cost pricing information and maintain a process that will eliminate drugs from maximum allowable cost lists or modify drug prices to remain consistent with changes in pricing data
2. Prohibit the PBM from limiting a pharmacist’s ability to disclose the availability of a more affordable alternative drug
3. Prohibit the PBM from requiring an insured to make a payment for a prescription drug in an amount that exceeds the lesser of the applicable cost-sharing amount or the retail price of the drug
Louisiana SB 41
• Prohibits PBM spread pricing unless the PBM provides written notice consisting of spread pricing transparency to the insurer
• Provides the Board of Pharmacy with PBM oversight
• Requires PBM licensure
• Strengthens maximum allowable costs (MAC) requirements
• Creates a PBM monitoring advisory council
• Prohibits unfair or deceptive trade practices by PBMs including prohibits them from patient steering to a PBM owned pharmacy without disclosure and prohibits penalizing beneficiaries or inducing them to use a pharmacy that is PBM owned
• Prohibits retroactive denials or reductions in pharmacy claims that have already been approved by the PBM
This legislation provides a model for other states on ways to combat abusive PBM tactics.
Frier Levitt Government Affairs (FLGA) monitors new legislative developments for pharmacy stakeholders and provides tools to help keep them “in the know.” Contact FLGA today to learn more about new legislative developments and for help preparing legislation that will get you back on track to attaining a level playing field for your respective state(s).