LA HB919

Requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to reimburse under-reimbursed dispensing fees to independent pharmacies, with a minimum floor of $12 per prescription, and prohibits PBMs from passing these costs to health plans, members, or pharmacies.

Prohibits PBMs from operating pharmacies that are wholly or partially owned or contracted by the PBM or its subsidiaries, effective January 1, 2027.

Establishes criminal penalties for willful violations including imprisonment up to 5 years and/or fines up to $100,000 per violation, with unlimited liability for PBMs with annual revenues exceeding $500 million.

Requires PBMs to disclose all financial arrangements with drug manufacturers to covered entities and pass through any volume-based payments or benefits in full, reinforcing fiduciary duties to beneficiaries.

Applies retroactively to January 1, 2025 through December 1, 2025 for reimbursement provisions, with pharmacy ownership prohibition taking effect January 1, 2027.