By: Van de Putte S.B. No. 1582

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to payment of claims to pharmacies and pharmacists.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 843.002, Insurance Code, is amended by adding Subdivision (32) to read as follows:

(32) "Extrapolation" means a mathematical process of constructing new data points outside a discrete set of known data points used in the payment or audit of claims to providers who are pharmacists or pharmacies. The term includes linear, conic, polynomial, statistical, and electronic extrapolation, as well as any other extrapolation techniques used to estimate payment of claims or audit findings affecting providers who are pharmacists or pharmacies.

SECTION 2. Section 843.338, Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 843.338. DEADLINE FOR ACTION ON CLEAN CLAIMS. Except as provided by Sections [Section] 843.3385 and 843.339, not later than the 45th day after the date on which a health maintenance organization receives a clean claim from a participating physician or provider in a nonelectronic format or the 30th day after the date the health maintenance organization receives a clean claim from a participating physician or provider that is electronically submitted, the health maintenance organization shall make a determination of whether the claim is payable and:

(1) if the health maintenance organization determines the entire claim is payable, pay the total amount of the claim in accordance with the contract between the physician or provider and the health maintenance organization;

(2) if the health maintenance organization determines a portion of the claim is payable, pay the portion of the claim that is not in dispute and notify the physician or provider in writing why the remaining portion of the claim will not be paid; or

(3) if the health maintenance organization determines that the claim is not payable, notify the physician or provider in writing why the claim will not be paid.

SECTION 3. Section 843.339, Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 843.339. DEADLINE FOR ACTION ON [CERTAIN] PRESCRIPTION CLAIMS; PAYMENT. (a) Not later than the 21st day after the date a health maintenance organization affirmatively adjudicates a pharmacy claim that is electronically submitted, the health maintenance organization shall pay the total amount of the claim. A health maintenance organization shall pay a pharmacy claim that is submitted in a nonelectronic format not later than the deadline provided under Section 843.338.

(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), a pharmacy benefit manager that administers a pharmacy claim for a health maintenance organization shall pay the provider through electronic funds transfer not later than the 14th day after the date on which the claim was affirmatively adjudicated.

(c) If the provider is unable to receive payment of a claim described by Subsection (b) through electronic funds transfer, the pharmacy benefit manager shall pay the claim not later than the 21st day after the date on which the claim was affirmatively adjudicated.

SECTION 4. Section 843.340, Insurance Code, is amended by adding Subsections (f) and (g) to read as follows:

(f) A health maintenance organization may not use extrapolation computations or practices to complete the audit of a provider who is a pharmacist or pharmacy. A health maintenance organization may not require extrapolation audits as a condition of participation in the health maintenance organization's contract, network, or program for a provider who is a pharmacist or pharmacy.

(g) A pharmacy benefit manager who performs an on-site audit under this chapter of a provider who is a pharmacist or pharmacy shall provide the provider reasonable notice of the audit and accommodate the provider's schedule to the greatest extent possible. The notice required under this subsection must be in writing and must be sent by certified mail not later than the 15th day before the date on which the on-site audit is scheduled to occur.

SECTION 5. Section 843.344, Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 843.344. APPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER TO ENTITIES CONTRACTING WITH HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION. This subchapter applies to a person, including a pharmacy benefit manager, with whom a health maintenance organization contracts to:

(1) process or pay claims;

(2) obtain the services of physicians and providers to provide health care services to enrollees; or

(3) issue verifications or preauthorizations.

SECTION 6. Subchapter J, Chapter 843, Insurance Code, is amended by adding Sections 843.354, 843.355, and 843.356 to read as follows:

Sec. 843.354. DEPARTMENT ENFORCEMENT OF PHARMACY CLAIMS. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, a dispute regarding payment of a claim to a provider who is a pharmacist or pharmacy shall be resolved as provided by this section.

(b) A provider who is a pharmacist or pharmacy may submit a complaint to the department alleging noncompliance with the requirements of this subchapter by a health maintenance organization or an entity that contracts with the health maintenance organization as provided by Section 843.344. A complaint may be submitted in writing or by submitting a completed complaint form to the department by mail or through another delivery method. The department shall maintain a complaint form on the department's Internet website and at the department's offices for use by a complainant.

(c) After investigation of the complaint by the department, the commissioner shall determine the validity of the complaint and shall enter a written order. In the order, the commissioner shall provide the health maintenance organization and the complainant with:

(1) a summary of the investigation conducted by the department;

(2) written notice of the matters asserted, including a statement:

(A) of the legal authority, jurisdiction, and alleged conduct under which an enforcement action is imposed or denied, with a reference to the statutes and rules involved; and

(B) that the health maintenance organization and the complainant are entitled to a hearing before the State Office of Administrative Hearings regarding the allegations; and

(3) a determination of the denial or imposition of penalties against the health maintenance organization.

(d) If the department investigation substantiates the allegations of noncompliance made under Subsection (b), the commissioner, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing as described by Subsection (c), shall:

(1) require the health maintenance organization to pay penalties as provided by Section 843.342; and

(2) impose administrative penalties under Chapter 84 in an amount not to exceed $1,000 per day for each claim that remains unpaid in violation of this subchapter.

Sec. 843.355. APPEAL TO STATE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS. (a) The State Office of Administrative Hearings acquires jurisdiction over an enforcement action by the department in regard to allegations of violations of this subchapter by a health maintenance organization when the department, the complainant, or the health maintenance organization requests a hearing after issuance of the commissioner order under Section 843.354.

(b) On request for a hearing under Subsection (a), the State Office of Administrative Hearings shall notify the parties of the date, time, and place of the hearing. After a case has been placed on the docket, any party, including the department, the complainant, or the health maintenance organization, may move for appropriate relief, including discovery and evidentiary rulings, continuances and settings, request for a mediated settlement conference, mediation, or arbitration.

(c) If it appears to the department, the complainant, or the health maintenance organization that a person or entity is engaging in or is about to engage in a violation of a final order or decision by the State Office of Administrative Hearings, the department, the complainant, or the health maintenance organization may bring an action for judicial review in district court in Travis County to enjoin or restrain the continuation or commencement of the violation or to compel compliance with the final order or decision by the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

Sec. 843.356. LEGISLATIVE DECLARATION. It is the intent of the legislature that the requirements contained in this subchapter regarding payment of claims to providers who are pharmacists or pharmacies apply to all health care plans and pharmacy benefit managers unless otherwise prohibited by federal law.

Sec. 843.357. SEVERABILITY. If any provision or clause of this chapter or its application to any person, entity, or circumstance is held invalid, including Section 843.356, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this chapter that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application and without being inconsistent with the intent of this chapter, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable.

SECTION 7. Section 1301.001, Insurance Code, is amended by amending Subdivision (1) and adding Subdivision (12) to read as follows:

(1) "Health care provider" means a practitioner, institutional provider, or other person or organization that furnishes health care services and that is licensed or otherwise authorized to practice in this state. The term includes a pharmacist and a pharmacy. The term does not include a physician.

(12) "Extrapolation" means a mathematical process of constructing new data points outside a discrete set of known data points used in the payment or audit of claims to providers who are pharmacists or pharmacies. The term includes linear, conic, polynomial, statistical, and electronic extrapolation, as well as any other extrapolation techniques used to estimate payment of claims or audit findings affecting providers who are pharmacists or pharmacies.

SECTION 8. Section 1301.103, Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 1301.103. DEADLINE FOR ACTION ON CLEAN CLAIMS. Except as provided by Sections 1301.104 and [Section] 1301.1054, not later than the 45th day after the date an insurer receives a clean claim from a preferred provider in a nonelectronic format or the 30th day after the date an insurer receives a clean claim from a preferred provider that is electronically submitted, the insurer shall make a determination of whether the claim is payable and:

(1) if the insurer determines the entire claim is payable, pay the total amount of the claim in accordance with the contract between the preferred provider and the insurer;

(2) if the insurer determines a portion of the claim is payable, pay the portion of the claim that is not in dispute and notify the preferred provider in writing why the remaining portion of the claim will not be paid; or

(3) if the insurer determines that the claim is not payable, notify the preferred provider in writing why the claim will not be paid.

SECTION 9. Section 1301.104, Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 1301.104. DEADLINE FOR ACTION ON [CERTAIN] PHARMACY CLAIMS; PAYMENT. (a) Not later than the 21st day after the date an insurer affirmatively adjudicates a pharmacy claim that is electronically submitted, the insurer shall pay the total amount of the claim. An insurer shall pay a pharmacy claim that is submitted in a nonelectronic format not later than the deadline provided under Section 1301.103.

(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), a pharmacy benefit manager that administers a pharmacy claim for an insurer under a preferred provider benefit plan shall pay the provider through electronic funds transfer not later than the 14th day after the date on which the claim was affirmatively adjudicated.

(c) If the provider is unable to receive payment of a claim described by Subsection (b) through electronic funds transfer, the pharmacy benefit manager shall pay the claim not later than the 21st day after the date on which the claim was affirmatively adjudicated.

SECTION 10. Section 1301.105, Insurance Code, is amended by adding Subsections (e) and (f) to read as follows:

(e) An insurer may not use extrapolation computations or practices to complete the audit of a provider who is a pharmacist or pharmacy. An insurer may not require extrapolation audits as a condition of participation in the insurer's contract, network, or program for a provider who is a pharmacist or pharmacy.

(f) A pharmacy benefit manager who performs an on-site audit under this chapter of a provider who is a pharmacist or pharmacy shall provide the provider reasonable notice of the audit and accommodate the provider's schedule to the greatest extent possible. The notice required under this subsection must be in writing and must be sent by certified mail not later than the 15th day before the date on which the on-site audit is scheduled to occur.

SECTION 11. Section 1301.109, Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 1301.109. APPLICABILITY TO ENTITIES CONTRACTING WITH INSURER. This subchapter applies to a person, including a pharmacy benefit manager, with whom an insurer contracts to:

(1) process or pay claims;

(2) obtain the services of physicians and health care providers to provide health care services to insureds; or

(3) issue verifications or preauthorizations.

SECTION 12. Subchapter C-1, Chapter 1301, Insurance Code, is amended by adding Sections 1301.139, 1301.140, and 1301.141 to read as follows:

Sec. 1301.139. DEPARTMENT ENFORCEMENT OF PHARMACY CLAIMS. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, a dispute regarding payment of a claim to a provider who is a pharmacist or pharmacy shall be resolved as provided by this section.

(b) A provider who is a pharmacist or pharmacy may submit a complaint to the department alleging noncompliance with the requirements of this subchapter by an insurer or an entity that contracts with the insurer as provided by Section 1301.109. A complaint may be submitted in writing or by submitting a completed complaint form to the department by mail or through another delivery method. The department shall maintain a complaint form on the department's Internet website and at the department's offices for use by a complainant.

(c) After investigation of the complaint by the department, the commissioner shall determine the validity of the complaint and shall enter a written order. In the order, the commissioner shall provide the insurer and the complainant with:

(1) a summary of the investigation conducted by the department;

(2) written notice of the matters asserted, including a statement:

(A) of the legal authority, jurisdiction, and alleged conduct under which an enforcement action is imposed or denied, with a reference to the statutes and rules involved; and

(B) that the insurer and the complainant are entitled to a hearing before the State Office of Administrative Hearings regarding the allegations; and

(3) a determination of the denial or imposition of penalties against the insurer.

(d) If the department investigation substantiates the allegations of noncompliance made under Subsection (b), the commissioner, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing as described by Subsection (c), shall:

(1) require the insurer to pay penalties as provided by Section 1301.137; and

(2) impose administrative penalties under Chapter 84 in an amount not to exceed $1,000 per day for each claim that remains unpaid in violation of this subchapter.

Sec. 1301.140. APPEAL TO STATE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS. (a) The State Office of Administrative Hearings acquires jurisdiction over an enforcement action by the department in regard to allegations of violations of this subchapter by an insurer when the department, the complainant, or the insurer requests a hearing after issuance of the commissioner order under Section 1301.139.

(b) On request for a hearing under Subsection (a), the State Office of Administrative Hearings shall notify the parties of the date, time, and place of the hearing. After a case has been placed on the docket, any party, including the department, the complainant, or the insurer, may move for appropriate relief, including discovery and evidentiary rulings, continuances and settings, request for a mediated settlement conference, mediation, or arbitration.

(c) If it appears to the department, the complainant, or the insurer that a person or entity is engaging in or is about to engage in a violation of a final order or decision by the State Office of Administrative Hearings, the department, the complainant, or the insurer may bring an action for judicial review in district court in Travis County to enjoin or restrain the continuation or commencement of the violation or to compel compliance with the final order or decision by the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

Sec. 1301.141. LEGISLATIVE DECLARATION. It is the intent of the legislature that the requirements contained in this subchapter regarding payment of claims to providers who are pharmacists or pharmacies apply to all health care plans and pharmacy benefit managers unless otherwise prohibited by federal law.

Sec. 1301.142. SEVERABILITY. If any provision or clause of this chapter or its application to any person, entity, or circumstance is held invalid, including Section 843.356, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this chapter that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application and without being inconsistent with the intent of this chapter, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable.

SECTION 13. The change in law made by this Act applies only to a claim submitted by a provider to a health maintenance organization or an insurer on or after the effective date of this Act. A claim submitted before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law as it existed immediately before that date, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 14. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.