Detailed Summary

Pharmacy Access Improvement (PhAIm) Act of 2007 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program ) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to participating pharmacies and standards for access to them. Requires that such standards ensure that enrollees residing in long-term care facilities have access to a long-term care network pharmacy.

Requires prompt payment of clean claims to pharmacies by prescription drug plans (PDPs) and Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans (MA-PD Plans) Defines prompt payment as within 14 days from submission for claims submitted electronically, and within 30 days for claims submitted otherwise. Requires payment of interest, also, if a payment is not issued, mailed, or otherwise transmitted within the applicable number of calendar days.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a 24-hour toll-free telephone number dedicated to providing Medicare prescription drug benefit information to pharmacists and pharmacy staff.

Amends SSA title XVIII to require PDP sponsors to establish toll-free pharmacy and physician and provider hotlines.

Prohibits a Medicare prescription drug card issued by a PDP sponsor from displaying the name, brand, logo, or trademark (co-branding) of any pharmacy.

Provides for submission of claims by pharmacies located in or contracting with long-term care facilities.

Requires the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services to analyze and report to the Secretary on the cost of dispensing covered part D drugs under a PDP or an MA-PD plan.

Provides that, if the PDP sponsor uses a standard for reimbursement of pharmacies based on the cost of a drug, each contract entered into with such sponsor with respect to the plan shall require the sponsor to update the standard at least once every seven days.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 8/2/2007: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Points in Favor

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)

Points Against

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)