BillTrack50 logo
Free Signup Login
Bill

Bill > SB2576

MS SB2576

MS SB2576
Pharmacy benefit managers; revise provisions related to.

summary

Introduced
01/19/2026
In Committee
01/19/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/03/2026

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

An Act To Amend Section 73-21-151, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Reference New Sections In The Pharmacy Benefit Prompt Pay Act; To Amend Section 73-21-153, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Define New Terms And Revise The Definitions Of Existing Terms Under The Pharmacy Benefit Prompt Pay Act; To Amend Section 73-21-155, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Define A Clean Claim And A Network Pharmacy, For The Purpose Of This Section; To Amend Section 73-21-156, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Require Pharmacy Benefit Managers To Provide A Reasonable Administrative Appeal Procedure To Allow Pharmacies To Challenge A Reimbursement For A Specific Drug Or Drugs As Being Below The Reimbursement Rate Required By The Preceding Provision; To Provide That If The Appeal Is Upheld, The Pharmacy Shall Make The Adjustment Effective For The Appeal And Shall Provide Notice On Its Website About The Appeal; To Amend Section 73-21-157, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Require A Pharmacy Services Administrative Organization (psao) To Be Licensed With The Mississippi Board Of Pharmacy; To Create New Section 73-21-158, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Prohibit A Pharmacy Benefit Manager, Psao, Carrier Or Health Plan From Spread Pricing; To Create A New Section, That Prohibits Pharmacy Benefit Managers From Providing Financial Consideration To Pharmacy Benefit Manager Affiliates At A Higher Rate Than A Nonaffiliate; To Create New Section 73-21-162, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Prohibit Pharmacy Benefit Managers, Pharmacy Benefit Manager Affiliates And Pharmacy Services Administrative Organizations (psaos) From Penalizing Or Retaliating Against A Pharmacist, Pharmacy Or Pharmacy Employee For Exercising Any Rights Under This Act, Initiating Any Judicial Or Regulatory Actions, Or Appearing Before Any Governmental Agency, Legislative Member Or Body Or Any Judicial Authority; To Amend Section 73-21-163, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Authorize The Board Of Pharmacy, For The Purposes Of Conducting Investigations, To Conduct Examinations Of A Pharmacy Benefit Manager Or Psao And To Issue Subpoenas To Obtain Documents Or Records That It Deems Relevant To The Investigation; To Create New Section 73-21-165, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Require Each Drug Manufacturer To Submit A Report To The Board Of Pharmacy That Includes The Current Wholesale Acquisition Cost; To Require Such Entities To Provide The Board Of Pharmacy With Various Drug Pricing Information Within A Certain Time; To Require Pharmacy Benefit Managers And Psaos To File A Report With The Board Of Pharmacy; To Require Each Health Insurer To Submit A Report To The Board Of Pharmacy That Includes Certain Drug Prescription Information; To Create New Section 73-21-167, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Require The Board Of Pharmacy To Develop A Website To Publish Information Related To The Act; To Create New Section 73-21-169, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Require Pharmacy Benefit Managers And Psaos To Identify Ownership Affiliation Of Any Kind To The Board Of Pharmacy; To Create A New Section That Creates The Mississippi Independent Pharmacist Reimbursement Assistance Grant Program; To Define Terms Relevant To The Program; To Provide Eligibility Requirements And Guidelines For Grant Awards; To Provide That The Board Shall Establish An Application Process For The Grant Program, And That The Board Shall Have The Authority To Promulgate Rules And Regulations Necessary To Administering The Program; And For Related Purposes.

AI Summary

This bill, titled the Pharmacy Benefit Prompt Pay Act, significantly revises regulations concerning Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) in Mississippi, aiming to increase transparency and fairness in prescription drug pricing and reimbursement. Key provisions include defining terms like "clean claim" (a complete and valid billing submission) and "network pharmacy" (a licensed pharmacy contracted with a PBM), and establishing a reasonable administrative appeal process for pharmacies to challenge reimbursement rates for specific drugs, requiring PBMs to adjust payments if an appeal is upheld and notify the public on their website. The bill mandates that Pharmacy Services Administrative Organizations (PSPOs), which assist pharmacies with administrative tasks, must be licensed by the Mississippi Board of Pharmacy. It explicitly prohibits "spread pricing," a practice where PBMs charge more than they reimburse for prescription drugs, and also prevents PBMs from financially favoring their affiliated pharmacies over non-affiliated ones for the same services. Furthermore, the legislation prohibits PBMs, their affiliates, and PSPOs from retaliating against pharmacists or pharmacies for exercising their rights under the act or for participating in legal or regulatory actions. The Board of Pharmacy is granted enhanced authority to conduct investigations, examine PBMs and PSPOs, and issue subpoenas for relevant documents. Drug manufacturers will be required to report wholesale acquisition costs and other pricing information to the Board, and PBMs and health insurers will also need to submit various drug pricing and prescription data reports. To promote transparency, the Board will create a public website to publish this information. The bill also establishes the Mississippi Independent Pharmacist Reimbursement Assistance Grant Program to support independent pharmacies facing financial challenges, and mandates that PBMs and PSPOs identify any ownership affiliations with pharmacies to the Board.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Died In Committee (on 02/03/2026)

bill text

bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...
Loading...