Bill

Bill > HB740


MT HB740

Revise laws relating to pharmacies, pharmacy benefit managers, and other entities


summary

Introduced
02/25/2025
In Committee
04/10/2025
Crossed Over
03/07/2025
Passed
05/05/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
05/08/2025

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT GENERALLY REVISING LAWS RELATING TO PHARMACIES, PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS, AND OTHER ENTITIES; PROVIDING LAWS RELATING TO THE RECOUPMENT OF FUNDS; PROVIDING DEFINITIONS; REVISING LAWS RELATED TO MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE COST OR THE REFERENCE PRICE LIST; PROHIBITING CERTAIN FEES; AND AMING SECTIONS 33-2-2005, 33-22-170, 33-22- 171, 33-22-172, 33-22-175, AND 33-22-177, AND 39-71-727, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN APPLICABILITY SECTION AND A TERMINATION DATE.”

AI Summary

This bill revises laws relating to pharmacies, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), and prescription drug reimbursement, introducing several key protections for independent pharmacies and patients. The legislation defines new terms like "independent pharmacy" and "effective rate contracting", and establishes multiple restrictions on PBMs' practices. Key provisions include prohibiting PBMs from charging various fees to pharmacies, mandating timely updates to drug pricing lists, ensuring fair reimbursement rates for independent pharmacies (including a minimum $15 professional dispensing fee that will increase annually with inflation), and preventing PBMs from implementing effective rate contracting or reducing pharmacy payments through complicated reconciliation processes. The bill also protects pharmacies' rights by preventing PBMs from excluding pharmacies from networks based solely on being new, requiring consistent network standards, and allowing pharmacies to discuss prescription costs with patients. Additionally, the bill addresses mail-order pharmacy limitations, ensures patient access to local pharmacies when mail-order services are delayed, and includes provisions preventing PBMs from requiring patients to use PBM-owned pharmacies. The legislation will apply to conduct occurring on or after October 1, 2025, and will terminate on June 30, 2029.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry, Justice

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Chapter Number Assigned (on 05/08/2025)

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