08 LC 33
2266
House
Bill 949
By:
Representatives Stephens of the
164th,
Parrish of the
156th,
and Parham of the
141st
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Article 6 of Chapter 4 of Title 26 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to pharmacies, so as to provide that if a new pharmacy
benefits manager for the state employees´ health insurance plan or
Georgia´s Medicaid program provides lower reimbursement rates to pharmacies
than provided by the previous pharmacy benefits manager, the difference shall be
paid into the state´s general fund; to provide for an opportunity for
pharmacies to opt out; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting
laws; and for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Article
6 of Chapter 4 of Title 26 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to pharmacies, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as
follows:
"26-4-110.2.
(a)
As used in this Code section, the term 'pharmacy benefits manager' means any
person, corporation, or other entity that administers the prescription drug,
prescription device, or both prescription drug and device portion offered
pursuant to the state employees´ health insurance plan under Chapter 18 of
Title 45 or offered on behalf of recipients of medical assistance under
Georgia´s Medicaid program as provided for in Article 7 of Chapter 4 of
Title 49.
(b)
If the Department of Community Health changes to a different pharmacy benefits
manager and the reimbursement rates to pharmacies by that pharmacy benefits
manager are lower than those utilized by the previous pharmacy benefits manager,
the difference in the rate shall be paid by the new pharmacy benefits manager to
the state´s general fund. In addition, the department shall provide notice
to pharmacies of the reduced reimbursement rates and provide them an opportunity
to opt out of the state employees´ health insurance plan or Georgia´s
Medicaid program, as appropriate."
SECTION
2.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.