CO| Colorado Bulletin B-7.158 explains how PBMs must identify and verify “rural independent pharmacies” under Colorado HB 25-1222, clarifying that any Colorado prescription drug outlet privately owned by at least one licensed pharmacist, with no ownership interest by or affiliation with a chain or publicly traded pharmacy, qualifies regardless of its geographic location or proximity to other pharmacies. It specifies that certain documents—active pharmacy and pharmacist licenses, organizational filings with the Secretary of State, and sworn affidavits—are sufficient to verify this status, and encourages PBMs to use a Division-provided attestation form and to periodically report all such designated pharmacies and their NPIs within their networks to the Division of Insurance.
Key Points:
- Definition and scope: A rural independent pharmacy is a Colorado prescription drug outlet privately owned by at least one licensed pharmacist with no chain or publicly traded ownership or affiliation, and this designation applies regardless of urban, suburban, or rural location or distance from other pharmacies.
- Verification documentation: PBMs may rely on an active outlet license, active licenses for pharmacist-owners, Articles of Incorporation/Organization, and sworn owner affidavits confirming qualifying ownership and lack of chain or publicly traded affiliation.
- Operational expectations for PBMs: PBMs are encouraged to collect and keep pharmacy attestations using the Division’s sample form and are required to periodically report all pharmacies and NPIs identified as rural independent pharmacies in their networks to the Division.