NCPA submitted written testimony to the California State Assembly Committee on Health in favor of Assembly Bill 317 which mandates that health plans that offer coverage for a service within the pharmacists’ scope of practice pay or reimburse the cost of services performed by a pharmacist at an in-network pharmacy or by a pharmacist at an out-of-network pharmacy if the health plan or insurer has an out-of-network pharmacy benefit. We are proud to stand with the California Pharmacists Association in support of this bill that ensures patients can receive vital health care services provided by their pharmacist.
Additionally, recently-introduced legislation to reform PBMs, AB 913, has been referred to the Committee on Business and Profession. In addition to creating a PBM licensure program under the Board of Pharmacy, the bill prohibits retroactive fees, gag clauses, discrimination against non-affiliated pharmacies, patient steering, and spread pricing. AB 913 also empowers the Board of Pharmacy to issue fines for licensure violations and to audit PBMs for noncompliance. NCPA strongly supports the legislation and is actively engaged on the ground and in coalition efforts.
