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2018 SESSION

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18100454D
HOUSE BILL NO. 234 Offered January 10, 2018 Prefiled December 31, 2017 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 38.2-3407.9:04, relating to health benefit plans; prescription drug coverage; synchronization of medications. ---------- Patrons-- Hope and Adams, D.M. ---------- Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 38.2-3407.9:04 as follows:

§ 38.2-3407.9:04. Medication synchronization.

A. As used in this section:

"Carrier," "health plan," and "provider contract" have the meanings ascribed thereto in subsection A of § 38.2-3407.15.

"Enrollee" and "provider" have the meanings ascribed thereto in subsection A of § 38.2-3407.10.

"Network pharmacy" means a pharmacy that has agreed to provide pharmacy services to enrollees with an expectation of receiving payments, other than coinsurance, copayments, or deductibles, directly or indirectly from the carrier under the terms of a provider contract.

B. Any health plan providing prescription drug coverage in the Commonwealth shall permit and apply a prorated daily cost-sharing rate to prescriptions that are dispensed by a network pharmacy for a partial supply if the prescribing provider or the pharmacist determines the fill or refill to be in the best interest of the enrollee and the enrollee requests or agrees to a partial supply for the purpose of synchronizing the enrollee's medications.

C. No health plan providing prescription drug coverage shall deny coverage for the dispensing of a medication that is dispensed by a network pharmacy on the basis that the dispensing is for a partial supply if the prescribing provider or the pharmacist determines the fill or refill to be in the best interest of the enrollee and the enrollee requests or agrees to a partial supply for the purpose of synchronizing the enrollee's medications. The health plan shall allow a pharmacy to override any denial codes indicating that a prescription is being refilled too soon for the purposes of synchronizing the enrollee's medications.

D. No health plan providing prescription drug coverage shall use payment structures incorporating prorated dispensing fees. Dispensing fees for partially filled or refilled prescriptions shall be paid in full for each prescription dispensed, regardless of any prorated copay or fee paid for synchronization services.

E. This section shall apply with respect to health plans that are entered into, amended, extended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2019.

F. Pursuant to the authority granted by § 38.2-223, the Commission may promulgate such rules and regulations as it may deem necessary to implement this section.

G. The Commission shall have no jurisdiction to adjudicate individual controversies arising out of this section.