GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1991

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 853

Short Title:  Ins.-Pharmacy Nondiscrimination.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Representatives Woodard; Bowman and Warner.
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Referred to:  Commerce.
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April 17, 1991

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO PROHIBIT HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES FROM LIMITING PATIENT CHOICE IN SELECTING PHARMACY SERVICES.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  Chapter 58 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 58-50-31.  Patient choice of pharmacist.
(a)	Whenever any policy of insurance provides, or health care benefits are provided by an HMO, preferred provider plan, hospital, medical, or dental plan, or other insurance mechanism, that are governed by this Chapter, include  payment of or reimbursement for any service which is within the scope of practice of a duly licensed pharmacist the insured or other persons entitled to these benefits shall be entitled to payment of or reimbursement for such services performed by any duly licensed pharmacist, notwithstanding any provisions or limitations contained in such policy.
(b)	A plan or system of reimbursement for the services of a duly licensed pharmacist shall provide that all pharmacists providing the same services shall receive the same reimbursement.  When a system has contracted with a particular source for pharmacy services, those services provided by a pharmacist not subject to the contract, shall be reimbursed at the same rate."
Sec. 2.  This act is effective upon ratification.