The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Christine Arbo Peck.
DIGEST
SB 131 Engrossed 2016 Regular Session Johns
Proposed law provides that a patient getting prescription drugs from a pharmacist shall have the
opportunity to pay the copay for their health plan or a lower amount for the same prescription drug
if the pharmacist is aware of a lower amount. Proposed law makes any contracts with provisions
contrary to proposed law void and unenforceable.
Effective August 1, 2016.
(Adds R.S. 22:1060.6)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Health and Welfare to the
original bill
1. Clarified that the intended discussion between the pharmacist and patient was to
identify the lower of the cost of the patient’s health plan copay or another cost that
may be available and allow the patient to pay the lesser amount for the same
prescription drug and that any contract provision between a health plan and a
pharmacy to the contrary would be void and unenforceable.