As used in this article:

1. (1) "Claim" means a request from a pharmacy or pharmacist to be reimbursed for the cost of administering, filling, or refilling a prescription for a drug or for providing a medical supply or device.

2. (2) "Claims processing services" means the administrative services performed in connection with the processing and adjudicating of claims relating to pharmacist services that include:

   1. (a) receiving payments for pharmacist services;
   2. (b) making payments to pharmacists or pharmacies for pharmacist services; or
   3. (c) both receiving and making payments.
3. (3) "Health benefit plan" means any individual, blanket, or group plan, policy, or contract for health care services issued or delivered by a health care insurer in this State as defined in Sections 38-71-670(6) and 38-71-840(14), including the state health plan as defined in Section 1-11-710. Notwithstanding this section, the state health plan is not subject to the provisions of this title unless specifically referenced.
4. (4) "Health care insurer" means an entity that provides health insurance coverage in this State as defined in Section 38-71-670(7) and Section 38-71-840(16).
5. (5) "Maximum Allowable Cost List" means a listing of generic drugs used by a pharmacy benefits manager to set the maximum allowable cost at which reimbursement to a pharmacy or pharmacist may be made.

6. (6) "Other prescription drug or device services" means services other than claims processing services, provided directly or indirectly by a pharmacy benefits manager, whether in connection with or separate from claims processing services, including without limitation:

   1. (a) negotiating rebates, discounts, or other financial incentives and arrangements with drug companies;
   2. (b) disbursing or distributing rebates;
   3. (c) managing or participating in incentive programs or arrangements for pharmacist services;
   4. (d) negotiating or entering into contractual arrangements with pharmacists or pharmacies, or both;
   5. (e) developing formularies;
   6. (f) designing prescription benefit programs; or
   7. (g) advertising or promoting services.
7. (7) "Pharmacist" has the same meaning as provided in Section 40-43-30.
8. (8) "Pharmacist services" means products, goods, and services, or any combination of products, goods, and services, provided as a part of the practice of pharmacy.
9. (9) "Pharmacy" has the same meaning as provided in Section 40-43-30.

10. (10) "Pharmacy benefits manager" means an entity that contracts with pharmacists or pharmacies on behalf of an insurer, third-party administrator, or the South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority to:

    1. (a) process claims for prescription drugs or medical supplies or provide retail network management for pharmacies or pharmacists;
    2. (b) pay pharmacies or pharmacists for prescription drugs or medical supplies; or
    3. (c) negotiate rebates with manufacturers for drugs paid for or procured as described in this article.
11. (11) "Pharmacy benefits manager affiliate" means a pharmacy or pharmacist that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, owns or controls, is owned or controlled by, or is under common ownership or control with a pharmacy benefits manager.
12. (12) "Pharmacy Services Administrative Organization" (PSAO) means an entity that has contracted with pharmacy clients in the State to conduct business on their behalf with third-party payers or pharmacy benefits managers. PSAOs provide administrative services to pharmacies and negotiate and enter into contracts with third-party payers or pharmacy benefits managers on behalf of pharmacies.

13. (13) "Specialized delivery drug" means a prescription drug that meets a majority of the following criteria, as set forth by the manufacturer, FDA, or other applicable law or regulatory body and:

    1. (a) requires special handling or storage;
    2. (b) requires complex and extended patient education or counseling;
    3. (c) requires intensive monitoring;
    4. (d) requires clinical oversight; or

    5. (e) requires product support services; and the drug is used to treat chronic and complex, or rare medical conditions:

       1. (i) that can be progressive; or
       2. (ii) that can be debilitating or fatal if left untreated or undertreated.

HISTORY: 2019 Act No. 48 (S.359), Section 1, eff May 16, 2019; 2023 Act No. 30 (S.520), Section 2, eff January 1, 2024.

Code Commissioner's Note

At the direction of the Code Commissioner, incorrect references to subsections in Section 40-43-30 were removed.

Editor's Note

2019 Act No. 48, Section 6, provides as follows:

"SECTION 6. Except for Section 38-71-2220 in SECTION 1 and SECTION 3, this act takes effect on January 1, 2021. The provisions of Section 38-71-2220 in SECTION 1 and SECTION 3 take effect upon approval by the Governor."

2023 Act No. 30, Section 7, provides as follows:

"SECTION 7. This act takes effect January 1, 2024, but the recurring examinations by the Department of Insurance provided for in Sections 38-71-2250(B)(1) and 38-71-2340(B)(1) must not begin before January 1, 2025."

Effect of Amendment

2023 Act No. 30, Section 2, added (12) and (13) and made nonsubstantive changes.