2021 -- S 0497 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE -- PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFITS

     Introduced By: Senators Felag, Coyne, Seveney, Sosnowski, Ciccone, and Raptakis

     Date Introduced: March 04, 2021

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 27-20.8 of the General Laws entitled "Prescription Drug Benefits" is

hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     27-20.8-3. Price disclosure.

A plan sponsor, health insurance carrier, or pharmacy benefit manager shall not

     prohibit a pharmacist from providing an insured information regarding the amount of the

     insured's cost share for a prescription drug. Neither a pharmacy nor a pharmacist shall be

     penalized by a pharmacy benefits manager for discussing any information described in this

     section or for selling a lower-priced drug to the insured if one is available.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE -- PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFITS

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     This act would bar health insurance plans from prohibiting pharmacists from discussing

reimbursement criteria with individuals presenting prescriptions and provides that health insurance

plans may not penalize a pharmacy or pharmacist from disclosing reimbursement criteria with an

individual presenting a prescription.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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