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Pharmacy Access Improvement (PhAIm) Act of 2006

Introduced: April 27, 2006 See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 27, 2006
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Apr 27, 2006
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3710)
Apr 27, 2006
Introduced in Senate
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Pharmacy Access Improvement (PhAIm) Act of 2006 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program ) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to participating pharmacies and standards for access to them. Requires that such standards ensure that enrollees residing in long-term care facilities have access to a long-term care network pharmacy.

Requires prompt payment of clean claims to pharmacies by prescription drug plans (PDPs) and Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans (MA-PD Plans) Defines prompt payment as within 14 days from submission for claims submitted electronically, and within 30 days for claims submitted otherwise. Requires payment of interest, also, if a payment is not issued, mailed, or otherwise transmitted within the applicable number of calendar days.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a 24-hour toll-free telephone number dedicated to providing Medicare prescription drug benefit information to pharmacists and pharmacy staff.

Amends SSA title XVIII to require PDP sponsors to establish toll-free pharmacy and physician and provider hotlines.

Requires a PDP sponsor to utilize standardized technology for any communication or transaction occurring between the PDP and a participating pharmacy.

Prohibits a Medicare prescription drug card issued by a PDP sponsor from displaying the name, brand, logo, or trademark (co-branding) of any pharmacy.

Provides for submission of claims by pharmacies located in or contracting with long-term care facilities.

Requires the Secretary to establish reasonable dispensing fees for covered Medicare part D drugs dispensed through participating pharmacies.

Requires a PDP sponsor to encourage generic utilization by paying an increased dispensing fee for generic drugs.

What's happening now April 27, 2006

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1