Alabama bill would add $10.64 dispensing fee to all prescriptions
Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2024 7:05 pm
https://www.al.com/news/2024/03/alabama ... tions.htmlA bill making its way to the Alabama House would add a “dispensing fee” of $10.64 to the cost of prescription drugs, according to reports.
However, opponents of House Bill 238 say it would burden customers and companies providing health insurance with greater costs.
The Insurance Committee of the Alabama House of Representatives approved the bill by voice vote on Wednesday. It will proceed to the state House.
According to the Alabama Daily News, the bill requires pharmacy benefit managers -- who manage drug benefits for insurers -- to reimburse in-network pharmacies for the cost of acquiring medication.
That comes along with a dispensing fee, set by the federal government and used in programs like Medicaid.
Supporters say the money would help cover pharmacists’ operating costs.
