SB 252 Alabama Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Pharmacy Benefits Managers; providing a prescription reimbursement rate for independent pharmacies and regulating other practices

SB 252 requires pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) in Alabama to pay independent pharmacies a minimum reimbursement rate for prescription drugs, directly affecting these pharmacies and PBMs. The bill establishes a specific payment standard for prescriptions and adds Section 27-45A-14 to Alabama’s code to regulate PBM practices. Key provisions include setting a baseline payment amount and restricting certain PBM actions that impact pharmacy reimbursement. This policy change aims to address financial challenges faced by independent pharmacies through mandated payment terms.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

Apr 2025

Introduced Mar 18, 2025 Signed Apr 15, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed → Enrolled · 4 edits · Apr 15, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was finalized as an enrolled version, which is the final step before it becomes law. The text includes minor formatting corrections and clarifies the definition of 'Health Insurer' to include entities under state jurisdiction. Crucially, the definition of 'Pharmacy Benefits Manager' was expanded to explicitly include prescription discount programs administered on behalf of PBMs or plans, while adding specific exemptions for licensed healthcare facilities and professionals to prevent them from being regulated as PBMs.

Scope change

The scope of the bill remains focused on regulating pharmacy benefits managers, but the definition of who falls under that regulation was broadened to include discount program administrators, with specific carve-outs for licensed medical facilities and professionals.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'Health Insurer' was expanded to explicitly include entities subject to state jurisdiction that contract to provide health care services, broadening the range of entities covered by the bill.

The definition of 'Pharmacy Benefits Manager' was updated to include persons administering prescription discount programs directly for or on behalf of a PBM or health benefit plan, ensuring these entities are subject to the same regulations.

New exemptions were added to the 'Pharmacy Benefits Manager' definition, clarifying that licensed healthcare facilities, licensed healthcare professionals, and consultants who only provide advice are not considered PBMs under this act.

TECHNICAL

Minor formatting and line break adjustments were made throughout the document to finalize the text for printing and publication.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 8, 2025

Upper · Passed

Gudger Concur In and Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 558

upper

Apr 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 648

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 647

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Introduced

Lovvorn 1st Amendment Offered

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 646

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Introduced

Insurance Engrossed Substitute Offered (Insurance)

lower

Apr 2, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House (Insurance)

lower

Apr 2, 2025

Introduced

Insurance 1st Amendment (Insurance)

lower

Mar 20, 2025

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (Insurance)

lower

Mar 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 421

upper

Mar 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

Gudger motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 420

upper

Mar 20, 2025

Introduced

Gudger 1st Amendment Offered

upper

Mar 20, 2025

Introduced

Elliott 1st Amendment Offered

upper

Mar 20, 2025

Introduced

Stutts 1st Amendment Offered

upper

Mar 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

Beasley motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 417

upper

Mar 20, 2025

Introduced

Banking and Insurance 1st Amendment Offered (Banking and Insurance)

upper

Mar 19, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

upper

Mar 19, 2025

Introduced

Banking and Insurance 1st Amendment (Banking and Insurance)

upper

Mar 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Banking and Insurance)

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors