Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB692

Caption

Relating to the audit of wholesale invoices during certain audits of pharmacists and pharmacies.

Impact

The implementation of SB692 is likely to result in changes to state laws governing pharmacy audits. By limiting the scope of audits and establishing specific requirements for evidence related to pharmacy claims, the bill seeks to protect pharmacists from undue penalization based on discrepancies tied to wholesale invoices. Such changes may lead to a more transparent auditing process, which can help ensure that pharmacists are treated fairly and that their claims are validated without excessive scrutiny of unrelated audits.

Summary

Senate Bill 692 (SB692) addresses the auditing process for pharmacists and pharmacies, particularly concerning the evaluation of wholesale invoices during audits performed by health benefit plan issuers or pharmacy benefit managers. The bill specifies that an audit cannot simultaneously assess the pharmacy claims of another health benefit plan or pharmacy benefit manager. This provision aims to streamline audits and avoid conflicts of interest in the auditing process, thus providing clearer guidelines for pharmacies amidst ongoing audits.

Contention

While the bill appears to provide advantages for pharmacies, potential points of contention might arise from health benefit plan issuers or pharmacy benefit managers, who may view the limitations imposed by SB692 as hindrances to their auditing capabilities. Critics could argue that the legislation might permit lax oversight of pharmacy billing practices, potentially opening avenues for fraudulent claims. These concerns underscore the delicate balance between protecting pharmacies' rights and maintaining rigorous standards for auditing practices.

Companion Bills

TX HB1455

Same As Relating to the audit of wholesale invoices during certain audits of pharmacists and pharmacies.

Previously Filed As

TX HB235

Relating to the authority of pharmacists to furnish certain medications.

TX SB160

Relating to the furnishing by pharmacists and dispensing by physicians of certain medications.

TX HB2079

Relating to the authority of pharmacists to order and furnish certain prescription drugs.

TX HB1050

Relating to the authority of pharmacists to dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives.

TX HB3774

Relating to civil and criminal liability for pharmacists and pharmacies that dispense misoprostol.

TX HB25

Relating to wholesale importation of prescription drugs in this state; authorizing a fee.

TX HB4810

Relating to transactions involving dealer agreements under the Fair Practices of Equipment Manufacturers, Distributors, Wholesalers, and Dealers Act

TX SB749

Relating to the administration of a medication and the ordering and administration of an immunization or vaccination by a pharmacist.

TX HB5129

Relating to the delegation to a pharmacy technician of a pharmacist's authority to administer an immunization or vaccine.

TX SB300

Relating to a pharmacist's authority to refuse to dispense a drug.

Similar Bills

CA AB913

Pharmacy benefit managers.

CA SB362

Chain community pharmacies: quotas.

LA HB432

Provides for the regulation of pharmacy services administrative organizations (OR +$88,000 SG EX See Note)

MS HB1125

Pharmacy services; prohibit insurers and PBMs from requiring persons to obtain exclusively through pharmacies that they own.

LA HB387

Provides for the regulation of pharmacy services administrative organizations

CA AB401

Pharmacy: remote dispensing site pharmacy: telepharmacy: shared clinic office space.

CA AB690

Pharmacies: relocation: remote dispensing site pharmacy: pharmacy technician: qualifications.

MS HB1119

Pharmacy benefit managers; revise provisions related to.