This bill amends section 68-9,111 of the Revised Statutes Cumulative Supplement, 2024, to establish new pharmacy dispensing fees for independent pharmacies and other pharmacies participating in the medical assistance program. Starting in fiscal year 2024-25, independent pharmacies will receive a fee-for-service pharmacy dispensing fee reimbursement of ten dollars and thirty-eight cents per prescription until a cost-of-dispensing survey is completed. The bill also mandates that the Department of Health and Human Services amend Medicaid managed care organization contracts to align with these dispensing fees. Additionally, the bill ensures that any cost information submitted during the survey remains confidential.

Effective July 1, 2026, the reimbursement structure will expand to include different rates based on the volume of prescriptions filled by pharmacies. Independent pharmacies will continue to receive ten dollars and thirty-eight cents per prescription, while other pharmacies will receive varying fees based on their prescription volume. Pharmacies with fewer than 30,000 prescriptions will receive the same fee as independent pharmacies, while those with higher volumes will receive reduced fees. The bill also stipulates that pharmacies that are the only enrolled pharmacy within a thirty-mile radius will receive the same reimbursement as independent pharmacies. Furthermore, the Department is required to complete a follow-up cost-of-dispensing survey by July 1, 2026, and submit recommendations for adjusting pharmacy dispensing fees to ensure fair reimbursement for all participating pharmacies. The original section 68-9,111 is repealed as part of this amendment.