2024 -- S 2605

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LC005165

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PHARMACIES

     Introduced By: Senators Ujifusa, Murray, E Morgan, Valverde, DiPalma, Mack,
Quezada, Zurier, Bissaillon, Miller, and Cano

     Date Introduced: March 01, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 5-19.1-35 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-19.1 entitled

"Pharmacies" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     5-19.1-35. Audits.

     (a) When an on-site audit of the records of a pharmacy is conducted by a carrier or its

intermediary, the audit must be conducted in accordance with the following criteria:

     (1) A finding of overpayment or underpayment must be based on the actual overpayment

or underpayment, and not a projection based on the number of patients served having a similar

diagnosis, or on the number of similar orders or refills for similar drugs, unless the projected

overpayment or denial is a part of a settlement agreed to by the pharmacy or pharmacist;

     (2) The auditor may not use extrapolation in calculating recoupments or penalties unless

required by state or federal laws or regulations;

     (3) Any audit that involves clinical judgment must be conducted by, or in consultation with,

a pharmacist; and

     (4) Each entity conducting an audit shall establish an appeal process under which a

pharmacy may appeal an unfavorable preliminary audit report to the entity.

     (b) This section does not apply to any audit, review, or investigation that is initiated based

on or involving suspected or alleged fraud, willful misrepresentation, or abuse.

     (c) Prior to an audit, the entity conducting an audit shall give the pharmacy fourteen (14)

days advance written notice of the audit and the range of prescription numbers involved in the audit.

The carrier or its intermediary may mask the last two digits of the numbers. Additionally, the

number of prescriptions shall not exceed one hundred fifty (150) prescription claims and their

applicable refills. The time allotted must be adequate to collect all samples. The examination of

signature logs shall not exceed twenty-five (25) signature logs in number.

     (d) A pharmacy has the right to execute the dispute resolution contained in their contract.

     (e)(1) A preliminary audit report must be delivered to the pharmacy or its corporate office

within sixty (60) days after the conclusion of the audit. A pharmacy must be allowed at least thirty

(30) days following receipt of the preliminary audit to provide documentation to address any

discrepancy found in the audit. A final audit report must be delivered to the pharmacy or its

corporate office within ninety (90) days after receipt of the preliminary audit report or final appeal,

whichever is later. A charge-back recoupment or other penalty may not be assessed until the appeal

process provided by the pharmacy benefits manager has been exhausted and the final report issued.

If the identified discrepancy for a single audit exceeds twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000),

future payments in excess of that amount may be withheld pending the adjudication of an appeal.

Auditors shall only have access to previous audit reports on a particular pharmacy conducted for

the same entity.

     (2) Auditors may initiate a desk audit prior to an on-site audit unless otherwise specified in

the law.

     (3) Contracted auditors cannot be paid based on the findings within an audit.

     (4) Scanned images of all prescriptions including all scheduled controlled substances are

allowed to be used by the pharmacist for an audit. Verbally received prescriptions must be accepted

upon validation by the auditing entity and applicable for the initial desk or on-site audit.

     (5) The period covered by an audit may not exceed two (2) years.

     (6) Within five (5) business days of receiving the audit notification, pharmacies are

allowed, at a minimum, one opportunity to reschedule with the auditor if the scheduled audit

presents a scheduling conflict for the pharmacist.

     (f) Any clerical error, typographical error, scrivener’s error, or computer error regarding a

document or record required under the Medicaid program does not constitute a willful violation

and is not subject to criminal penalties without proof of intent to commit fraud.

     (g) Limitations.

     (1) Exceptions. The provisions of this chapter do not apply to an investigative audit of

pharmacy records when:

     (i) Fraud, waste, abuse, or other intentional misconduct is indicated by physical review or

review of claims data or statements; or

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     (ii) Other investigative methods indicate a pharmacy is or has been engaged in criminal

wrongdoing, fraud, or other intentional or willful misrepresentation.

     (2) Frequency of audits. Pharmacists shall not be subject to more than one audit every

twelve (12) months, unless fraud or misrepresentation is reasonably suspected.

     (2)(3) Federal law. This chapter does not supersede any audit requirements established by

federal law.

     (h) Enforcement. The Rhode Island attorney general shall have the authority to impose

fines, penalties, or other appropriate sanctions and to take any additional measures deemed

necessary to ensure compliance with this section.

     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 BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PHARMACIES

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     This act would restrict audits of pharmacists conducted by insurers and their intermediaries,

limiting audits to one per year unless fraud or misrepresentation is reasonably suspected. The Rhode

Island attorney general would have the authority to impose sanctions for violations.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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