Oklahoma Bill Would Regulate Pharmacy Benefit Managers

February 13, 2013Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetArticleComments

A bill introduced in the Oklahoma Legislature seeks to regulate pharmacy benefit managers

State Rep. David Derby (R-Owasso) and state Sen. Rob Standridge (R-Norman) introduced House 2100, to bring pharmacy benefit managers under the regulation of the Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy.

Derby said pharmacy benefit managers have increasingly become direct deliverers of prescription drugs to patients through out-of-state mail-order systems, but have yet to be regulated in the same way as their licensed colleagues practicing in the Oklahoma retail community pharmacy setting.

To protect patients under industry confidentiality standards and to minimize wasteful prescriptions in a costly industry, House Bill 2100 would extend well-meaning regulation to this larger prescription drug delivery industry.

Derby pointed out the issue at the core of the legislation.

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Blue Cross in Mont., Idaho Buying Benefit Admin Company

April 12, 2012Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetArticleComments

Cross and Blue Shield of Montana along with Blue Cross of Idaho are buying an Idaho company that provides health products and employee-benefit administration services and merging it with a similar Montana company.

The insurance companies have acquired Peak 1 Administration of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and merged it with Blue Cross subsidiary Insurance Coordinators of Montana, which is based in Helena.

The Independent Record reported the company will operate under the name of Peak 1 Administration. Insurance Coordinators serves customers in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Washington and Oregon.

Officials declined to discuss the purchase price.

Peak 1 President Dan Crawford says the merger allows them to increase the services they offer and expand the area they serve.

Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetCategories: West NewsTopics: Blue Cross of Idaho, Blue Shield of Montana, Business Moves & Mergers, employee benefitsHave a hot lead? Email us at newsdesk

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