Virginia House Bill HB104

Virginia 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 12/31/23
• Refer: 12/31/23
• Refer: 1/16/24

Caption

Provider contracts; pharmacies allowed to refuse to fill certain prescriptions.

Impact

If passed, HB104 would significantly impact how pharmacies are compensated for filling prescriptions, particularly regarding the interaction with pharmacy benefits managers. The legislation promotes transparency by allowing pharmacies to disclose information about more affordable alternatives to enrollees and mandates that contracts with pharmacy benefits managers include explicit provisions that prevent enrollees from being financially penalized for choosing less expensive options. Additionally, pharmacies would be legally permitted to refuse to fill prescriptions if the reimbursement is below the cost of the drug, thereby ensuring pharmacies can maintain their financial viability while offering competitive pricing for patients.

Summary

House Bill 104 aims to amend regulations governing provider contracts between health carriers or their pharmacy benefits managers and pharmacies. The primary focus of the bill is to establish a cap on copayments for prescription drugs that enrollees must pay at the point of sale. Specifically, the bill prohibits any agreements that would require enrollees to pay a copayment exceeding either the stated copayment for the drug or the cash price for the drug without using their health plan. This provision is designed to enhance consumer protections and ensure that patients are not overcharged for their medications.

Contention

While the bill is designed to offer consumer protections, it has generated discussion regarding its effects on the relationships between pharmacies and pharmacy benefits managers. Advocates for HB104 argue that this legislation provides essential safeguards for consumers against excessive fees, while opponents express concerns that it may disrupt established pharmaceutical pricing structures. There are worries that the bill could lead to a reduction in available medications or increased operational burdens on pharmacies, as they navigate new compliance requirements related to price transparency and reimbursement negotiations.