PRINTER'S NO. 1875
No. 1498 Session of 2007
INTRODUCED BY DeLUCA, ARGALL, BAKER, BELFANTI, BENNINGHOFF, BIANCUCCI, CALTAGIRONE, CAPPELLI, CAUSER, CLYMER, COHEN, DENLINGER, EACHUS, EVERETT, FABRIZIO, FREEMAN, GEORGE, GIBBONS, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, HARHART, HESS, HUTCHINSON, JAMES, KAUFFMAN, MAJOR, MANDERINO, McILHATTAN, R. MILLER, MUNDY, MUSTIO, PETRARCA, PETRONE, PHILLIPS, PRESTON, PYLE, REED, REICHLEY, SAYLOR, SEIP, SHIMKUS, STERN, SURRA, THOMAS, WALKO, WANSACZ, WATSON AND YUDICHAK, JUNE 8, 2007
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON AGING AND OLDER ADULT SERVICES, JUNE 8, 2007
AN ACT 1 Establishing One Pennsylvania, a program to consolidate and 2 unify procedures and requirements for the administration of 3 all Commonwealth-funded, Commonwealth-administered and 4 Commonwealth-supported drug programs and for reimbursement 5 for pharmacy services. 6 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 7 hereby enacts as follows: 8 Section 1. Short title. 9 This act shall be known and may be cited as the One 10 Pennsylvania Act. 11 Section 2. Definitions. 12 The following words and phrases when used in this act shall 13 have the meanings given to them in this section unless the 14 context clearly indicates otherwise: 15 "Adjudication." 16 (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), an action taken
1 by the Department of Aging, the Secretary of Aging or a 2 prescription drug plan pursuant to this act that constitutes 3 an adjudication as defined by 2 Pa.C.S. § 101 (relating to 4 definitions), including any of the following: 5 (i) A decision to allow a pharmacy to participate in 6 a prescription drug plan or to suspend, restrict or 7 revoke participation by a pharmacy in a prescription drug 8 plan. 9 (ii) A decision by the department to include or 10 exclude a medication from the formulary or preferred drug 11 list. 12 (iii) The establishment of pharmacy reimbursement 13 rates and formulas. 14 (iv) A decision to grant or deny prior authorization 15 for the dispensing of prescription drugs or to approve or 16 disapprove the dispensing of drugs not included on the 17 formulary or preferred drug list. 18 (v) An action taken by the program based upon audits 19 of claims submitted for reimbursement by pharmacies. 20 (2) An action taken by the program with respect to 21 determining recipient eligibility shall not be deemed an 22 adjudication subject to this act. 23 "Alerts." Electronic communications between the Department 24 of Aging or the pharmacy benefits consolidation program and 25 pharmacies providing information pertaining to the 26 implementation of this act, including any of the following: 27 (1) Information regarding formularies. 28 (2) Preferred drug lists. 29 (3) Drug utilization review. 30 (4) Prior authorization. 20070H1498B1875 - 2 -
1 (5) Disease management programs. 2 (6) Claims submission and adjudication procedures. 3 (7) Audits. 4 (8) Pharmacy and patient education. 5 "Best price." As defined under section 1927(c) of the Social 6 Security Act (49 Stat. 620, 42 U.S.C. § 1396r-8(c)). 7 "Department." The Department of Aging of the Commonwealth. 8 "Medical assistance program." The program established 9 pursuant to Subarticle (f) of Article IV of the act of June 13, 10 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Public Welfare Code. 11 "Medicare recipient." An individual residing in this 12 Commonwealth who receives benefits under Part A of Subchapter 13 XVIII of Chapter 7 of the Social Security Act (49 Stat. 620, 42 14 U.S.C. § 301 et seq.) or who is enrolled under Part B, C or D of 15 Subchapter XVIII. 16 "Pharmaceutical manufacturer." A manufacturer as defined by 17 section 1927(k)(5) of the Social Security Act (49 Stat. 620, 42 18 U.S.C. § 1396r-8(k)(5)). 19 "Pharmacy." A pharmacy licensed pursuant to the act of 20 September 27, 1961 (P.L.1700, No.699), known as the Pharmacy 21 Act. 22 "Pharmacy Act." The act of September 27, 1961 (P.L.1700, 23 No.699), known as the Pharmacy Act. 24 "Pharmacy services." The provision of health care services 25 defined as the practice of pharmacy by the act of September 27, 26 1961 (P.L.1700, No.699), known as the Pharmacy Act. 27 "Preferred drug list." A list of prescription medications 28 that may be dispensed by a prescription drug plan without prior 29 authorization or a notation by the prescriber that the 30 medication is medically necessary and cannot be substituted for 20070H1498B1875 - 3 -
1 a listed prescription medication. 2 "Prescription drug." A covered outpatient drug as defined by 3 section 1927(k)(2) of the Social Security Act (49 Stat. 620, 42 4 U.S.C. § 1396r-8(k)(2)). 5 "Prescription drug plan." A program that pays for 6 prescription drugs dispensed to individuals enrolled in the 7 program that is supported directly or indirectly, in whole or in 8 part, by public funds, including all of the following: 9 (1) The medical assistance program, the Special 10 Pharmaceutical Benefit Program in the Department of Public 11 Welfare and the End Stage Renal Program in the Department of 12 Health. 13 (2) The Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the 14 Elderly (PACE) and any other pharmacy program administered by 15 the Commonwealth that is recognized by the Centers for 16 Medicare and Medicaid of the United States as a State 17 pharmaceutical assistance program. 18 (3) Programs paying for prescription drugs dispensed to 19 employees, including programs established by the Public 20 School Employees' Retirement System, the State Employees' 21 Retirement System and the State Employees' Benefit Trust 22 Fund. 23 (4) A program that utilizes funds of this Commonwealth, 24 including the State Lottery Fund, to provide assistance in 25 obtaining prescription drugs to Medicare recipients. 26 (5) Programs where the Commonwealth purchases or 27 reimburses affiliates or designees for a pharmacy benefit. 28 The programs shall include the Children's Health Insurance 29 Program, Workers' Compensation Program and any program 30 administered by the Department of Corrections. 20070H1498B1875 - 4 -
1 "Program." The pharmacy benefits consolidation program 2 established pursuant to section 3. 3 "Public School Employees' Retirement System." The retirement 4 system established by 24 Pa.C.S. Part IV (relating to retirement 5 for school employees). 6 "Public Welfare Code." The act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, 7 No.21), known as the Public Welfare Code. 8 "Retail pharmacy." A pharmacy licensed to operate pursuant 9 to the act of September 27, 1961 (P.L.1700, No.699), known as 10 the Pharmacy Act, which provides services to the general public, 11 excluding any institutional pharmacy, specialty pharmacy or 12 mail-order pharmacy. 13 "Secretary." The Secretary of Aging of the Commonwealth. 14 "Social Security Act." The Social Security Act (49 Stat. 15 620, 42 U.S.C. § 301 et seq.). A reference to the Social 16 Security Act shall include regulations implementing the Social 17 Security Act adopted by the United States Department of Health 18 and Human Services or the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid 19 Services. 20 "State agency." Any of the following entities that purchases 21 or provides coverage for prescription medications: 22 (1) An agency under the jurisdiction of the Governor. 23 (2) An independent agency. 24 (3) The General Assembly. 25 (4) The unified judicial system. 26 "State Employees' Benefit Trust Fund." The trust fund 27 established to purchase health insurance coverage, including 28 coverage for prescription medications, for State employees. 29 "State Employees' Retirement System." The retirement system 30 established under 71 Pa.C.S. Part XXV (relating to retirement 20070H1498B1875 - 5 -
1 for State employees and officers). 2 Section 3. One Pennsylvania. 3 (a) Establishment.--The department shall establish a 4 pharmacy benefits consolidation program to be known as One 5 Pennsylvania. The program shall administer all Commonwealth 6 prescription drug plans through an integrated system of plan 7 administration using uniform standards and requirements for the 8 reimbursement of pharmacies as provided by this act. To the 9 extent consolidation or the implementation of this act is 10 prohibited by Federal law or regulations, the department may 11 modify the requirements of this act or exclude or limit its 12 application to particular prescription drug plans to the extent 13 necessary to comply with Federal law or regulations. 14 (b) Requirements.--The department shall do all of the 15 following: 16 (1) Manage and implement a uniform formulary and 17 preferred drug list for the program under this act. A 18 formulary shall include all prescription drugs for which a 19 manufacturer has entered into a rebate agreement pursuant to 20 section 5 and the requirements and restrictions, except for 21 prior authorization, provided by section 1927(d) the Social 22 Security Act. A preferred drug list shall comply with the 23 standards established by Part D, section 1860D-4(b)(3) of the 24 Social Security Act and any additional regulations as may be 25 adopted by the department pursuant to this act. The list of 26 drugs included in the formulary and preferred drug list shall 27 be publicly available, posted electronically on the Internet 28 website of the department and communicated to pharmacies 29 through alerts. 30 (2) Ensure that any pharmacy licensed in this 20070H1498B1875 - 6 -
1 Commonwealth is eligible to provide pharmacy services 2 according to any regulations adopted by the department 3 pursuant to this act. 4 (3) (i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii), make 5 provisions for generic substitutions in accordance with 6 the act of November 24, 1976 (P.L.1163, No.259), referred 7 to as the Generic Equivalent Drug Law. 8 (ii) Notwithstanding the provisions of the Generic 9 Equivalent Drug Law and the act of August 26, 1971 10 (P.L.351, No.91), known as the State Lottery Law, generic 11 substitutions shall only be dispensed when it is less 12 expensive for the program. 13 (4) Provide for a program of prospective drug 14 utilization review consistent with section 1927(g)(2) of the 15 Social Security Act. 16 (5) Provide for prior authorization consistent with the 17 requirements of section 1927(g)(5)of the Social Security Act 18 and in accordance with regulations of the department. 19 (6) Take all reasonable measures to ascertain the legal 20 liability of any third parties, including health insurers, 21 self-insured plans, group health plans as defined by section 22 607(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 23 (Public Law 93-406, 88 Stat. 829), service benefit plans, 24 managed care organizations, pharmacy benefit managers, the 25 Medicare program, other prescription drug plans or other 26 parties that are, by statute, contract or agreement, legally 27 responsible for payment for prescription drugs before claims 28 become the liability of any prescription drug plan subject to 29 this act and pursue claims against such parties for payment. 30 Information regarding such third party benefits shall be 20070H1498B1875 - 7 -
1 included on identification cards issued to persons eligible 2 to claim benefits from prescription drug plans and shall be 3 included in all mechanized claims processing and information 4 retrieval systems, including systems required under section 5 1903(r) of the Social Security Act. Unless a pharmacy has 6 actual knowledge regarding the availability of such third- 7 party benefits to a claimant, a pharmacy is entitled to relay 8 information regarding the availability of such benefits 9 provided by the department, and shall not be liable to repay, 10 in whole or in part, amounts paid by a prescription drug plan 11 for prescription drugs for which any such third party is 12 liable. 13 (7) Provide for a program of retrospective drug 14 utilization review and education consistent with section 15 1927(g)(2) of the Social Security Act and in accordance with 16 regulations of the department to ensure that prescriptions 17 are appropriate, medically necessary and not likely to result 18 in adverse medical results and to educate providers and 19 recipients of pharmacy services through the pharmacy 20 consolidated benefits program and to correct and report 21 misutilization and abuse by licensed prescribers and 22 recipients and provide for fraud and abuse audits, 23 coordinating its activities with the secretary to support 24 compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Pharmacies 25 shall not be denied payments for medications dispensed based 26 upon the results of retrospective drug utilization review or 27 audits, where the medication was dispensed in good faith by 28 the pharmacy without prior knowledge that the prescription of 29 a medication was not appropriate or necessary, was likely to 30 cause adverse medical results or constituted a fraudulent or 20070H1498B1875 - 8 -
1 abusive practice by the prescriber. 2 (8) Establish a program of medication therapy management 3 consistent with section 1860D-4(c)(2) of the Social Security 4 Act. 5 (9) Provide educational materials for program recipients 6 of pharmacy services on disease and care management. 7 (10) In accordance with section 1927(a) through (d) of 8 the Social Security Act or Chapter 7 of the act of August 26, 9 1971 (P.L.351, No.91), known as the State Lottery Law, bill, 10 recoup and relay to the medical assistance program 11 manufacturers' drug rebates and excessive consumer price 12 inflation discounts and resolve disputes. Upon the 13 establishment of the program, all medical assistance 14 recipients shall be enrolled in prescription drug programs 15 for which rebates and discounts are collected pursuant to 16 section 1927(a) through (d) of the Social Security Act. 17 (11) Adjudicate claims through an electronic claims 18 management system consistent with section 1927(h) of the 19 Social Security Act and which allows for an emergency supply 20 of prescribed medication in the event of equipment failures. 21 (12) Create a uniform audit and recoupment system 22 subject to the requirements of section 7(c) for all of the 23 following: 24 (i) Pharmacies, pharmacists, dispensing physicians 25 and any other providers of pharmacy services. 26 (ii) Individuals enrolled in prescription drug plans 27 and applicants for enrollment in prescription drug plans. 28 (iii) Prescription drug plans, pharmacy benefit 29 managers and other persons providing services related to 30 the provision of pharmacy services or the administration 20070H1498B1875 - 9 -
1 of prescription drug plans. 2 (iv) Other providers of prescription drug benefits 3 subject to coordination of benefit requirements with 4 prescription drug plans, including health insurance 5 companies, employee benefit plans and trust funds, health 6 maintenance organizations, Medicare benefit providers, 7 workers compensation insurers and automobile insurance 8 companies. 9 (v) Pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers and 10 other suppliers of prescription drugs. 11 (13) Provide for the reimbursement of all pharmacies 12 participating in prescription drug programs on a fee-for- 13 service basis. 14 (14) Allow pharmacists certified in medication therapy 15 management by a national accrediting body or by any other 16 certification process approved by the State Board of Pharmacy 17 to provide medication therapy management. 18 (c) Considerations.--In preparing and managing the uniform 19 formulary and preferred drug list, the department shall enter 20 into agreements with drug manufacturers to collect and remit to 21 the program discounts, rebates or other concessions offered by 22 manufacturers. 23 (d) Advisory committee.-- 24 (1) An advisory committee to the department shall be 25 established consisting of the following members: 26 (i) Three members appointed by the Governor. 27 (ii) Two members appointed by each of the following: 28 (A) The President pro tempore of the Senate. 29 (B) The Minority Leader of the Senate. 30 (C) The Speaker of the House of Representatives. 20070H1498B1875 - 10 -
1 (D) The Minority Leader of the House of 2 Representatives. 3 (2) Each legislative appointing authority shall appoint 4 one member pursuant to paragraph (1)(ii) involved in the 5 ownership or operation of independent pharmacies and one 6 member involved in the ownership or operation of chain 7 pharmacies. 8 (3) Members of the committee shall serve without 9 compensation but shall be reimbursed for their reasonable and 10 necessary expenses by the department. 11 (4) Members of the committee shall serve for indefinite 12 terms at the will of their respective appointing authorities. 13 (5) Action by the committee shall require a vote by at 14 least seven members. 15 (6) Members of the committee shall annually elect a 16 chairperson. 17 Section 4. Reimbursement. 18 (a) General rule.--Reimbursement to pharmacies shall include 19 all of the following: 20 (1) Payment sufficient to reimburse retail pharmacies 21 for the reasonable and necessary costs incurred to purchase 22 drugs. 23 (2) Except to the extent otherwise required by Federal 24 law or regulations, payments to retail pharmacies pursuant to 25 paragraph (1) shall be based upon the average retail pharmacy 26 acquisition cost for a medication without regard to customary 27 prompt pay discounts in the package size most commonly 28 purchased by retail pharmacies as determined by the 29 department pursuant to subsection (d), or a pharmacy's actual 30 acquisition cost for a medication, whichever amount is 20070H1498B1875 - 11 -
1 greater. 2 (3) Payment for dispensing costs adequate to cover costs 3 associated with all of the following: 4 (i) Wages and salaries. 5 (ii) Costs to store and secure inventory. 6 (iii) Patient counseling. 7 (iv) Drug utilization review. 8 (v) Licensing fees. 9 (vi) Taxes. 10 (vii) Insurance. 11 (viii) Other direct and indirect costs of operating 12 a pharmacy. 13 (ix) A reasonable profit to generate a return on the 14 investment associated with the costs. 15 (4) During the first year this section is in effect, 16 payments pursuant to paragraph (3) shall be not less than $10 17 for the dispensing of a single source drug as defined by 18 section 1927(k)(7)(A)(iv) of the Social Security Act or $15 19 for the dispensing of a multiple-source drug as defined by 20 section 1927(k)(7)(A)(iv) of the Social Security Act. 21 Beginning on January 1 of each subsequent year, payment 22 pursuant to paragraph (3) shall be not less than the prior 23 year's minimum payments as adjusted based upon the annual 24 percentage change in Consumer Price Index for medical care 25 professional services as published by the Bureau of Labor 26 Statistics of the United States Department of Labor for the 27 month of December of the immediately prior year. 28 (5) Additional payment for: 29 (i) Medication therapy management. 30 (ii) Concurrent and retrospective utilization 20070H1498B1875 - 12 -
1 review. 2 (iii) Managing prior authorization requirements. 3 (iv) To the extent authorized by section 9.1 of the 4 Pharmacy Act, implementing drug therapy protocols. 5 (v) Compounding prescriptions. 6 (vi) Preparing specialized packaging for the 7 administration of medications in long-term care 8 facilities. 9 (vii) Preparing medications for intravenous 10 administration. 11 (viii) Other reasonable and necessary pharmacy 12 services. 13 (b) Prompt payment.--Pharmacies shall be paid within 21 days 14 of the department's receipt of appropriate substantiation of the 15 transaction. Pharmacies shall be entitled to interest at the 16 rate provided by section 806 of the act of April 9, 1929 17 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, for any payment not 18 made within the 21-day period. 19 (c) Average retail pharmacy acquisition costs.--The 20 department shall determine and publicly make available through 21 its Internet website the average retail pharmacy acquisition 22 cost for covered medications pursuant to regulations approved by 23 the advisory committee in a manner consistent with the 24 methodology used by the Congressional Budget Office in its 25 December 26, 2006, report to the Committee on Energy and 26 Commerce of the United States House of Representatives based 27 upon a survey of retail pharmacy wholesale invoices or through 28 the use of commercially available sources of information. 29 Average pharmacy acquisition costs shall be updated weekly. 30 (d) Copayments.--Except for services which are excluded 20070H1498B1875 - 13 -
1 under the Commonwealth's medical assistance program, the 2 department may require pharmacies to collect a copayment in an 3 amount set by the department. To the extent a pharmacy is 4 required by Federal or State law to dispense prescriptions to 5 persons unable to satisfy copayment obligations, the pharmacy 6 shall be reimbursed for uncollected copayment amounts. The 7 department shall neither require copayments from beneficiaries 8 nor deduct copayment amounts from pharmacy reimbursements for 9 any particular classes of drugs or prescription drug plan 10 recipients to the extent there is good cause to conclude that 11 copayment requirements will result in noncompliance with 12 prescription drug treatment protocols and will increase overall 13 health care costs or result in imminent and substantial risk of 14 harm or injury to recipients or other persons. Except to the 15 extent prohibited by Federal law, the department may accept 16 compensation for the purpose of reducing or eliminating 17 copayments from drug manufacturers, distributors, health care 18 plans or other persons or organizations for the purpose of 19 encouraging therapeutically desirable compliance with 20 prescription drug treatment protocols. 21 Section 5. Rebate agreement. 22 (a) Required agreements.--Except as provided in subsection 23 (b), the department shall not include on the formulary of 24 preferred drug list established pursuant to section 3(b)(1) any 25 prescription drug unless the department and the pharmaceutical 26 manufacturer have entered into a rebate agreement covering that 27 prescription drug on terms comparable to agreements executed 28 pursuant to section 1927(a), (b), (c) and (d) of the Social 29 Security Act. The rebate agreement shall provide that, unless 30 prohibited by Federal law, the rebate shall be based on the best 20070H1498B1875 - 14 -
1 price and that additional rebates shall be paid if the 2 pharmaceutical manufacturer increases the price of the drug by 3 an amount greater than the increase in the Consumer Price Index 4 for All Urban Consumers. Nothing in this act shall prevent the 5 department from negotiating agreements for the payment of 6 additional rebates and discounts for the benefit of the medical 7 assistance program or from entering into rebate and discount 8 agreements for other plans which have been consolidated into the 9 program for greater rebates and discounts than are required 10 pursuant to section 1927(c) of the Social Security Act. 11 (b) Exceptions.--Subsection (a) shall not apply if the 12 availability of the drug is essential to the health of members 13 of the pharmacy consolidated benefits program as determined by 14 the department. 15 (c) Contracts.--Pharmaceutical manufacturers must enter into 16 a rebate agreement with the department to obtain reimbursement 17 for prescription drugs included under this act. The rebate shall 18 be paid by the manufacturer not later than 30 days after the 19 date of receipt of information necessary to calculate the amount 20 of the rebate. The department shall have the authority to levy a 21 15% surcharge penalty on any rebate not in dispute that remains 22 unpaid for 90 or more days. 23 Section 6. Regulations and adjudications. 24 (a) Regulations.--The department shall seek recommendations 25 of the advisory committee prior to promulgating rules and 26 regulations, as necessary, to carry out the provisions of this 27 act. 28 (b) Policies.--The department, acting in consultation with 29 the advisory committee, shall promulgate statements of policy, 30 as necessary, to carry out the provisions of this act. No 20070H1498B1875 - 15 -
1 statement of policy adopted by the department shall have the 2 force and effect of law or regulation or may modify the 3 provisions of any regulations adopted by the department. All 4 statements of policy adopted by the department shall, except in 5 emergency circumstances, be published for notice and comment 6 prior to adoption and shall be published in the Pennsylvania 7 Bulletin and the Pennsylvania Code. 8 (c) Audit manual.--Based upon its regulations and policies, 9 the department shall adopt a manual setting forth procedures, 10 guidelines and standards to be utilized by prescription drug 11 plans and the department in audits of pharmacies participating 12 in the pharmacy consolidation benefits program. The audit manual 13 shall provide that: 14 (1) Any actions taken to recover or recoup payments to 15 pharmacies, seek restitution or impose interest, penalties or 16 other sanctions upon pharmacies will be taken in compliance 17 with the procedures provided by the audit manual. 18 (2) Except when otherwise justified by emergency 19 circumstances, allegations of criminal conduct or threats to 20 public health, pharmacies shall be given at least 30 days' 21 advance notice of any onsite audits. 22 (3) Except when otherwise justified by emergency 23 circumstances, allegations of criminal conduct or threats to 24 public health, audits will not interfere with the delivery of 25 services to patients, disrupt pharmacy operations or impose 26 any unreasonable burdens upon pharmacies or pharmacists. 27 (4) Any audit involving clinical or professional 28 judgment will be conducted by or in consultation with a 29 properly qualified consulting pharmacist. 30 (5) Pharmacies will not be subject to claims for the 20070H1498B1875 - 16 -
1 recovery or recoupment of payments, restitution, interest, 2 penalties or other sanctions for minor, isolated or good- 3 faith errors and omissions in the processing of claims unless 4 the pharmacies engage in fraud, intentional misconduct, 5 willful or grossly negligent activities or create threats to 6 the health and safety of patients. 7 (6) Claims for the recovery or recoupment of payments, 8 restitution, interest, penalties or other sanctions shall not 9 be based upon statistical sampling and projection or 10 extrapolation techniques. 11 (7) Errors or omissions in records may be corrected and 12 the validity of records confirmed through the use of any 13 reliable source of information, including records and reports 14 provided by prescribing and treating health care 15 professionals, health care facilities, by reliance upon 16 electronic copies of original records or through the use of 17 other confirming documents, records, reports or testimony. 18 (8) No audit shall be conducted more than 12 months 19 after the date a claim was submitted for payment. 20 (9) No contingent fee compensation or payment shall be 21 made to any consultant or advisor conducting or assisting in 22 the conduct of an audit. 23 (10) Upon the conclusion of an audit, an exit interview 24 will be conducted explaining any claims asserted and offering 25 a pharmacy an informal opportunity to respond to any claims 26 before a written audit report is produced. 27 (11) Following the production of a written audit report, 28 a pharmacy shall be given at least 60 days in which to 29 respond to the report, provide any additional required 30 documentation or present objections to the audit, before the 20070H1498B1875 - 17 -
1 audit shall be deemed a final adjudication subject to review 2 pursuant to subsection (d). 3 (d) Adjudications.--Adjudications conducted by the 4 department shall be subject to 2 Pa.C.S. Ch. 5 Subch. A 5 (relating to practice and procedure of Commonwealth agencies) 6 and Ch. 7 Subch. A (relating to judicial review of Commonwealth 7 agency action). The department shall adopt rules of procedure 8 regarding the conduct of adjudications involving pharmacies 9 consistent with the provisions of 67 Pa.C.S. §§ 1102 (relating 10 to hearings before the bureau), 1103 (relating to supersedeas), 11 1104 (relating to subpoenas) and 1105 (relating to 12 determinations, review, appeal and enforcement). 13 Section 7. Applicability. 14 This act shall apply to the medical assistance program except 15 to the extent the secretary, in consultation with the Department 16 of Public Welfare, determines that the application is a 17 violation of Federal law or an existing contractual agreement. 18 Nothing in this act shall supersede or impede an existing 19 contractual agreement. Contractual agreements in effect on the 20 effective date of this section shall not be renewed or extended 21 to the extent inconsistent with the requirements of this act, 22 and the department shall promptly enter into negotiations to 23 modify any contractual agreements inconsistent with this act to 24 conform to the requirements of this act. 25 Section 8. Prohibited activities. 26 It shall be unlawful for any individual, partnership or 27 corporation to solicit, receive, offer or pay any kickback, 28 bribe or rebate in cash or in kind from or to any person in 29 connection with the furnishing of services under this act to the 30 same extent as prohibited with respect to Federal health 20070H1498B1875 - 18 -
1 programs by section 1128(b)(1) and (2) of the Social Security 2 Act, subject to the safe harbors from sanctions provided by 3 sections 1877(a)(1) and 1860D-4(e)(6) of the Social Security 4 Act. Violations of this section shall be subject to the 5 sanctions, penalties and remedies under section 1407 of the 6 Public Welfare Code. 7 Section 9. Repeals. 8 (a) Intent.--The General Assembly declares that the repeal 9 under subsection (b) is necessary to effectuate the purposes of 10 this act. 11 (b) Provision.--Section 509 of the act of August 26, 1971 12 (P.L.351, No.91), known as the State Lottery Law, is repealed. 13 (c) General.--All other acts and parts of acts are repealed 14 insofar as they are inconsistent with this act. 15 Section 10. Effective date. 16 This act shall take effect as follows: 17 (1) Sections 3(d), 4(a)(4) and 6 shall take effect 18 immediately. 19 (2) The remainder of this act shall take effect in one 20 year. F1L35JS/20070H1498B1875 - 19 -