Pharmacy services; prohibit insurers and PBMs from requiring persons to obtain exclusively through pharmacies that they own.

HB 1125 prohibits health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from requiring patients to use only pharmacies they own. It also bans insurers/PBMs from charging patients more or offering worse plan terms (like higher copays) if they choose an independent pharmacy instead of an owned one. The bill mandates equal reimbursement rates for independent pharmacies compared to owned pharmacies for the same services and prevents denying independent pharmacies preferred network status. This updates Mississippi’s existing pharmacy choice law (Section 83-9-6) to directly address insurer/PBM practices that limit patient options and increase costs. The bill affects all patients enrolled in health benefit plans and independent pharmacies in Mississippi.