CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 119(L&C) - Alaska Health Care Consumer's Right to Shop Act

• Pharmacists must disclose prescription retail prices and consumer cost-sharing upon request, and charge whichever is lower unless the consumer directs otherwise.

• Health care providers and facilities must annually publish their top 25 health care services from each of six procedural categories with pricing by January 31, and post on the state's public database.

• Health care providers must provide good-faith cost estimates within five business days for services exceeding $250, including network status and information about other providers needed for the service.

• Health care insurers must establish interactive price-comparison tools, provide out-of-pocket expense estimates within five working days, and implement incentive programs paying covered persons at least 33.4% (group plans) or 50% (individual plans) of savings when selecting lower-cost providers.

• Violations include civil penalties up to $50 per day (maximum $2,500) for providers failing to disclose pricing, and fines of $500-$1,000 plus attorney fees for pharmacists violating pricing requirements; act takes effect January 1, 2019.