NC H896

Requires health benefit plans offered by insurers in North Carolina to reimburse pharmacists at the same rate as other health care providers when providing equivalent services within the pharmacist's licensed scope of practice.

Mandates insurers accept credentialing for pharmacists employed or contracted with health care facilities that have delegated credentialing agreements.

Requires insurers to reimburse contracted health care facilities or pharmacists directly for covered services performed by pharmacists, regardless of whether the pharmacist participates in the insurer's provider network.

Specifies that pharmacy participation in drug benefit networks does not satisfy requirements for including pharmacists in medical benefit provider networks.

Appropriates $100,000 in nonrecurring funds to the Department of Insurance for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to prepare for implementation; becomes effective October 1, 2021 for contracts entered into, renewed, or amended on or after that date.