SECTION 1. The purpose of this Act is to establish minimum and uniform standards and criteria for the audit of pharmacy records by or on behalf of certain entities.

SECTION 2. The General Laws are hereby amended by inserting after chapter 175K the following chapter:-

Chapter 175L

Regulation of Pharmacy Audits

Section 1. Definitions.

For purposes of this chapter the following terms shall have the following meanings:

"Pharmacy Benefits Manager", any person or entity that administers the prescription drug, prescription device, pharmacist services or prescription drug and device and pharmacist services portion of a health benefit plan on behalf of plan sponsors such as self-insured employers, insurance companies, and labor unions. A health benefit plan that does not contract with a pharmacy benefit manager shall be considered a pharmacy benefit manager for the purposes of this chapter unless specifically exempted. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to a public health care payer as defined in section 1 of chapter 118G.

"Commissioner", the commissioner of insurance or his designee.

Section 2. Certification of Pharmacy Benefits Managers

(a) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, no person shall act as a pharmacy benefits manager without first obtaining a certificate of registration from the commissioner.

(b) Any person seeking a certificate of registration shall apply to the commissioner, in

writing, on a form provided by the commissioner. The application form shall state (1) the name, address, official position and professional qualifications of each individual responsible for the conduct of the affairs of the pharmacy benefits manager, including all members of the board of directors, board of trustees, executive committee, other governing board or committee, the principal officers in the case of a corporation, the partners or members in the case of a partnership or association and any other person who exercises control or influence over the affairs of the pharmacy benefits manager, and (2) the name and address of the applicant's agent for service of process in the Commonwealth.

(c) Each application for a certificate of registration shall be accompanied by a

nonrefundable fee set by the Commissioner of no less than five hundred dollars.

(d) A health benefit plan that does not contract with a pharmacy benefit manager shall not be required to obtain a certificate of registration. Such health benefit plan shall notify the commissioner annually, in writing that it is affiliated with or operating a business as a pharmacy benefits manager.

(e) Any person acting as a pharmacy benefits manager on January 1, 2014, and required to obtain a certificate of registration under subsection (a) of this section, shall obtain a certificate of registration from the commissioner not later than April 1, 2014.

Section 3. Audit Scope and Procedures.

(a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, an audit of the records of a pharmacy conducted by a pharmacy benefit manager shall follow these procedures:

(1) The contract between a pharmacy and a pharmacy benefit manager shall identify and describe in detail the audit procedures.

(2) With the exception of an investigative fraud audit, the auditor shall give the pharmacy written notice at least two weeks prior to conducting the initial on-site audit for each audit cycle.

(3) A PBM cannot audit claims beyond 2 years prior to the date of audit.

(4) The auditor shall not interfere with the delivery of pharmacist services to a patient and shall make a reasonable effort to minimize the inconvenience and disruption to the pharmacy operations during the audit process.

(5) Any audit which involves clinical or professional judgment shall be conducted by or in consultation with a licensed pharmacist from any state.

(6) A finding of an overpayment or underpayment shall be based on the actual overpayment or underpayment. A statistically sound extrapolation for overpayment or underpayment may be used to determine recoupment as part of a settlement as agreed to by the pharmacy.

(7) Each pharmacy shall be audited under the same standards and parameters as other similarly situated pharmacies audited by the entity.

(8) An audit may not be initiated or scheduled during the first five calendar days of

any month due to the high volume of prescriptions filled in the pharmacy during that time unless otherwise consented to by the pharmacy.

(9) A preliminary audit report shall be delivered to the pharmacy no later than 45 days after the conclusion of the audit.

(10) The audit report shall be signed and shall include the signature of any pharmacist participating in the audit.

(11) A pharmacy benefit manager shall not withhold payment to a pharmacy for reimbursement claims as a means to recoup money owed to the pharmacy benefit manager as a result of an audit.

(12) The auditor shall provide a copy of the final audit report within 30 days following the receipt of the signed preliminary audit report or the completion of the appeals process, as provided for in section 4, whichever is later, to the pharmacy and plan sponsor.

Section 4. Appeal Process.

(a) Each auditor shall establish an appeals process under which a pharmacy may appeal findings in a preliminary audit;

(b) To appeal a finding, a pharmacy may use the records of a hospital, physician, or other authorized prescriber to validate the record with respect to orders or refills of prescription drugs or devices;

(c) A pharmacy shall have 30 days to address any discrepancy found during the preliminary audit.

(d) The National Council for Prescription Drug Programs ("NCPDP") or any other

recognized national industry standard shall be used to evaluate claims submission and product size disputes.

(e) If, following the appeal, the auditor finds that an unfavorable audit report or any

portion thereof is unsubstantiated, the entity shall dismiss the audit report or said portion without the necessity of any further action.

Section 5. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any audit or investigation that

involves potential fraud, willful misrepresentation, or abuse, including, but not limited to,

investigative audits or any other statutory or regulatory provision that authorizes investigations relating to insurance fraud.

Section 6. The commissioner may promulgate regulations to enforce the provisions of

this chapter.

SECTION 3. The audit criteria set forth in this chapter shall apply only to conducted after January 1, 2014.