Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Healthcare Regulation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee moves cleanup bill to clarify oversight of pharmacy benefit managers and third‑party administrators
Summary
House Bill 149 would clarify that the Division of Insurance may regulate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) even when they use the label "third‑party administrator." The committee reported the bill out with individual recommendations and likely zero fiscal impact.
The House Labor and Commerce Committee on May 5 reported out House Bill 149, a cleanup bill intended to ensure the Division of Insurance can regulate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) regardless of whether they describe themselves as third‑party administrators.
Co‑chair Fields said the bill was drafted to implement last year’s HB 226, which modernized PBM regulation, and to close a loophole some PBMs use by identifying as third‑party administrators. "Basically, there are some PBMs who are calling themselves third party administrators. DOI should be able to regulate PBMs equally whether they call themselves a third party administrator or a PBM," Fields said.
Deputy Director Heather Carpenter of the Division of Insurance was on the line and available to answer questions. Committee members did not raise further objections, and a motion to report HB 149 out of committee carried with no recorded objection. The mover noted the attached fiscal notes were likely zero.
The committee record shows this is a technical implementation bill designed to support enforcement and administration by the Division of Insurance; the measure was reported out with individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal notes expected to be minimal or none.
