A member of the Georgia Board of Community Health called on the agency to reimburse independent pharmacies for prescriptions at the same rate they pay pharmacy chains. The comments came as the board was approving a 6% increase on average of health insurance premiums state employees, public school teachers, and retirees pay to the State Health Benefit Plan.
The huge disparity in prescription reimbursements the plan pays to independent pharmacies compared to chains came to light in May when Gov. Brian Kemp vetoed legislation that would have required the state plan to reimburse independents at rates no less than the average reimbursement provided to chain pharmacies. The General Assembly had passed the bill in March with just one “no” vote.
Four independent pharmacies have closed this year because they couldn’t make enough money to stay in business.
