SB 984 - This act adds definitions for the terms "audit" and "entity" for the purposes of audits of licensed pharmacies. Current law requires a one week notice for any on-site audit. This act increases such notice to fourteen days and requires the notice to specify specific prescriptions to be audited. A pharmacy shall have the right to submit amended claims within thirty days of the discovery of an error. Audits shall be limited to twenty-five prescriptions that are randomly selected, and the act provides that recoupment shall only occur following the correction of a claim, as described in the act. No audit shall occur during the first five business days, rather than the first three, of any month. (Section 338.600)

This act modifies the definition of "covered person" and adds definitions for "pharmacy benefits manager rebate aggregator", "pharmacy claims data", and "rebate" for the purposes of regulating costs charged to covered persons for prescription drugs. Additionally, PBMs are prohibited from including a provision in a contract that requires payment for a prescription drug that exceeds the lesser of either the copayment amount or the amount the person would pay if they paid in cash. This act provides that the price shall also not exceed the contracted rate the pharmacy would be reimbursed for the drug. (Section 376.387)

This act modifies several definitions and adds new definitions for the purpose of regulating contracts between pharmacy benefits managers and pharmacies. The act also adds several provisions relating to contracts between PBMs and pharmacies, including providing plan sponsors with pharmacy claims data, submitting documentation of any benefit design that encourages or requires the use of affiliated pharmacies, a PBM's fiduciary duty to a plan sponsor, and authorizing the Department of Commerce and Insurance to conduct audits of PBMs. (Section 376.388)

Finally, this act requires the Department of Health and Senior Services to establish a critical access care pharmacy program to ensure the sustainability of critical access care pharmacies in the state. (Section 376.394)

TAYLOR MIDDLETON

Statutes affected:
Introduced (5297S.01): 338.600, 376.387, 376.388, 376.394

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Senate Committee Minutes:
SENATE COMMITTEE MINUTES Bill No.: SB 984
Sponsor: Carter
Hearing Date: 1/21/2026


COMMITTEE: Families, Seniors and Health

CHAIRMAN: Carter

DATE REFERRED: 1/8/2026 DATE HEARING REQUESTED:



STAFF:
Sarah Haskins
Heidi Osner
Dennis Rhodes
Blake Thompson


WITNESSES GIVING INFORMATION:



WITNESSES FOR:
Jorgen Schlemeier - MO Pharmacy Business Council
Henrio Thelemaque - MO Pharmacy Assoc.
Anthony DeSha - MPA, MOPBC, PBM Reform
Laura Kingsley - MO Pharmacy Assoc.
Lisa Pannett - Armorvine
Arnie Dienoff
Abe Funk
Laurel Pickering - Gateway Business Health Coalition
Tim Mitchell
Pamela Lanier - Freeman Health System
Rollin Trewyn - Freeman Health System
Larry McIntosh - Pharmax Pharmacy
Amy Mitchell
Jacob Smith


WITNESSES AGAINST:
Phil Christofanelli - Pharmaceutical Care Management
Mark Dalton - Mid America Corporates Regional Council
Jared Hutchinson - MO Chamber of Commerce
Shannon Cooper - America's Health Insurance Plans
Hampton Williams - Missouri Insurance Coalition