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AL SB73

Bill

Status

Passed

5/30/2019

Primary Sponsor

Arthur Orr

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Origin

Senate

Regular Session 2019

AI Summary

SB73 Summary

  • Prohibits pharmacy benefit managers from preventing pharmacies and pharmacists from disclosing to patients the cost of prescription drugs without insurance or alternative more affordable options.

  • Requires pharmacy benefit managers to register and obtain a license from the Department of Insurance effective January 1, 2020, with a nonrefundable fee not to exceed $500.

  • Limits patient point-of-sale prescription drug payments to the lesser of the contracted co-payment amount or the cash price for the drug.

  • Establishes the Insurance Commissioner's authority to adopt rules, set penalties and civil fines for violations including monetary fines, license suspension, or revocation.

  • Applies to all contracts and health benefit plans issued, renewed, or amended on or after January 1, 2020, and requires existing contracts to comply with the act as a condition of the pharmacy benefit manager's licensure.

Legislative Description

Pharmacy benefit managers, prohibited from restricting pharmacies and pharmacists from disclosing costs information to patients on alternative drugs or other services and costs, enforcement by Insurance Commissioner, audits further regulated including penalties and assessments against pharmacist, Secs. 34-23-184, 34-23-185, 34-23-186 am'd.

Pharmacies and Pharmacists

Last Action

Assigned Act No. 2019-457.

5/30/2019

Committee Referrals

Insurance5/15/2019
Healthcare3/5/2019

Full Bill Text

No bill text available