A. The pharmacy benefits manager shall, with respect to contracts between a pharmacy benefits manager and a provider, including a pharmacy service administrative organization:
l. Include in such contracts the specific sources utilized to determine the maximum allowable cost (MAC) pricing of the pharmacy, update MAC pricing at least every seven (7) calendar days, and establish a process for providers to readily access the MAC list specific to that provider;
2. In order to place a drug on the MAC list, ensure that the drug is listed as "A" or "B" rated in the most recent version of the FDA's Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations, also known as the Orange Book, and the drug is generally available for purchase by pharmacies in the state from national or regional wholesalers and is not obsolete;
3. Ensure dispensing fees are not included in the calculation of MAC price reimbursement to pharmacy providers;
4. Provide a reasonable administration appeals procedure to allow a provider, a provider's representative and a pharmacy service administrative organization to contest reimbursement amounts within fourteen (14) business days of the final adjusted payment date. The pharmacy benefits manager shall not prevent the pharmacy or the pharmacy service administrative organization from filing reimbursement appeals in an electronic batch format. The pharmacy benefits manager must respond to a provider, a provider's representative and a pharmacy service administrative organization who have contested a reimbursement amount through this procedure within ten (10) business days. The pharmacy benefits manager must respond in an electronic batch format to reimbursement appeals filed in an electronic batch format. The pharmacy benefits manager shall not require a pharmacy or pharmacy services administrative organization to log into a system to upload individual claim appeals or to download individual appeal responses. If a price update is warranted, the pharmacy benefits manager shall make the change in the reimbursement amount, permit the dispensing pharmacy to reverse and rebill the claim in question, and make the reimbursement amount change retroactive and effective for all contracted providers; and
5. If a below-cost reimbursement appeal is denied, the PBM shall provide the reason for the denial, including the National Drug Code number from the specific national or regional wholesalers where the drug is available for purchase by the dispensing pharmacy at a price below the PBM's reimbursement price. If the pharmacy benefits manager cannot provide a specific national or regional wholesaler where the drug can be purchased by the dispensing pharmacy at a price below the pharmacy benefits manager's reimbursement price, the pharmacy benefits manager shall immediately adjust the reimbursement amount, permit the dispensing pharmacy to reverse and rebill the claim in question, and make the reimbursement amount adjustment retroactive and effective for all contracted providers.
B. The pharmacy benefits manager shall not place a drug on a MAC list, unless there are at least two therapeutically equivalent, multiple-source drugs, generally available for purchase by dispensing retail pharmacies from national or regional wholesalers.
C. The pharmacy benefits manager shall not require accreditation or licensing of providers, or any entity licensed or regulated by the State Board of Pharmacy, other than by the State Board of Pharmacy or federal government entity as a condition for participation as a network provider.
D. A pharmacy or pharmacist may decline to provide the pharmacist clinical or dispensing services to a patient or pharmacy benefits manager if the pharmacy or pharmacist is to be paid less than the pharmacy's cost for providing the pharmacist clinical or dispensing services.
E. The pharmacy benefits manager shall provide a dedicated telephone number, email address and names of the personnel with decision-making authority regarding MAC appeals and pricing.
Added by Laws 2014, c. 263, § 4, eff. July 1, 2014. Amended by Laws 2016, c. 285, § 8, eff. Nov. 1, 2016; Laws 2021, c. 409, § 5, emerg. eff. May 4, 2021.