AUSTIN, TX - Today, SB 94 authored by Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, has passed both chambers of the Texas Legislature and is now headed to the Governor for final approval. SB 94 prohibits a Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) from directly or indirectly charging a pharmacist or pharmacy a fee for any part of the electronic prescription claims process.

Health benefit plans contract with PBMs to process prescription claims for pharmacists. PBMs have been requiring pharmacists to pay a fee for each health care claim that is submitted electronically in violation of the Insurance Code. SB 94 was carefully crafted to correct this wrong.

Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement:

"SB 94 is critical legislation for all pharmacists and pharmacies statewide who continue to lose money from PBMs who contract with health benefit plans (HMOs) to process prescription claims for pharmacists.

A top priority for our independent pharmacists has been to end the practice of PBMs charging transaction fees for pharmacy claims submissions and adjudication of healthcare claims. I have been working to resolve this issue with the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) for over two years as PBMs continue to assess transaction fees and as our pharmacists continue to lose money.

A PBM should not be allowed to charge unauthorized fees at the expense of our Texas pharmacies and our citizens. I am proud to see this legislation passed and that these practices will finally end."

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