Bill > HB1119

This bill establishes new rules for pharmacy care within Georgia's workers' compensation system, allowing employers to use "pharmacy management networks" – groups of contracted pharmacies and dispensing providers (pharmacists or physicians) – to provide medications to injured workers. It sets limits on how much of certain medications, like "off-label medications" (drugs used for purposes not officially approved) and "compounded medications" (custom-mixed drugs), can be prescribed, requiring documentation of medical necessity and prior authorization. For initial treatment, dispensing providers are limited to providing a five-day supply of controlled substances and a 14-day supply of other medications, unless they are part of a contracted pharmacy management network. The bill also mandates that these networks must accept any licensed and willing dispensing provider, provide a process for disputing denied payments, reimburse providers promptly, offer mail-order options, and adhere to pharmacy audit rights. Employers must notify employees about the use of these networks, and the networks themselves must register with the state and pay a fee. The bill also specifies that injured workers don't have to use a network pharmacy if their claim is being disputed until compensability is established.

Labor and Employment

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72673