Rhode Island H7817 prohibits pharmacy benefits managers from denying coverage for a prescription drug chosen by a patient’s healthcare provider.

Rhode Island H7817 amends the Pharmacy Freedom of Choice — Fair Competition and Practices chapter to ensure that pharmacy benefits managers cannot refuse to provide coverage for a prescription drug selected by a prescriber for a patient. This prohibition applies regardless of the pharmacy benefits manager’s clinical judgment, cost containment protocols, formulary preferences, or step therapy requirements. Any action by a pharmacy benefits manager that denies, delays, or modifies a prescriber’s chosen drug for a patient must comply with specific regulations. The act takes effect upon passage.

Rhode Island H7817 prohibits pharmacy benefits managers from denying coverage for a prescription drug chosen by a patient’s healthcare provider.

Rhode Island H7817 amends the Pharmacy Freedom of Choice — Fair Competition and Practices chapter to ensure that pharmacy benefits managers cannot refuse to provide coverage for a prescription drug selected by a prescriber for a patient. This prohibition applies regardless of the pharmacy benefits manager’s clinical judgment, cost containment protocols, formulary preferences, or step therapy requirements. Any action by a pharmacy benefits manager that denies, delays, or modifies a prescriber’s chosen drug for a patient must comply with specific regulations. The act takes effect upon passage.