OH HB655

Enacts section 3902.73 of the Revised Code to prohibit health plan issuers from steering covered persons to affiliated pharmacies when offering prescription drug coverage.

Defines "affiliated pharmacy" as a pharmacy in which a health plan issuer has a direct or indirect investment, ownership interest, or common ownership.

Prohibits health plan issuers from ordering patients to use affiliated pharmacies, restricting pharmacy selection within their network, imposing differential cost-sharing between in-network pharmacies, or preventing qualified pharmacies from joining their networks.

Bars health plan issuers from requiring pharmacies to meet accreditation standards beyond those of the state board of pharmacy and prohibits sharing patient prescription data to affiliated pharmacies for commercial purposes.

Establishes that violations constitute unfair and deceptive acts or practices in insurance, with exemptions for health insuring corporations where physicians are employed and for inpatient or emergency pharmacy services.