Bill > HB2107

This bill amends Virginia law to expand patient choice and restrict certain practices by health insurers, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), and pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs). Specifically, the bill prohibits these entities from imposing policies or practices that limit a patient's ability to choose their pharmacy, including expanding the definition of "pharmacy" to include physician practices that dispense drugs. The bill adds a new provision preventing insurers and PBMs from requiring or incentivizing prescription drugs to be delivered in specific ways, such as directly to a healthcare provider, to a specific pharmacy, or to the patient's residence. The legislation ensures that patients cannot be penalized financially for choosing a non-preferred or non-participating pharmacy, and requires that any reimbursement agreements and claims processes be handled promptly and fairly. The bill maintains an exception that allows insurers to select a single mail-order pharmacy for delivery services. Importantly, any violation of these provisions would be considered an unfair trade practice subject to existing legal penalties and enforcement mechanisms, thereby protecting patients' freedom of choice in obtaining prescription medications.