In Review: Last week, the Arkansas Legislative Council approved the Arkansas Insurance Department’s (AID) emergency version of the new dispensing fee rule. The emergency and the permanent Rule 128 allow the AID to review pharmacy reimbursements to ensure that they are “fair and reasonable.” Despite allowing the emergency rule to take effect, many members of the committee expressed concern about the AID’s reasoning behind the rule and the potential for increases in health insurance premiums as a result of the AID’s arbitrary increase in dispensing fees. PCMA is working with our members to gather written comments for the permanent rule set for a hearing in October.               

If you have any questions, please contact Jonathan Buxton at jbuxton@pcmanet.org.