39-71-727. Payment for prescription drugs — limitations. (1) For payment of prescription drugs, an insurer is liable only for the purchase of generic-name drugs if the generic-name product is the therapeutic equivalent of the brand-name drug prescribed by the physician, unless the generic-name drug is unavailable.

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Terms Used In Montana Code 39-71-727

  • worker: means :

    (a)each person in this state, including a contractor other than an independent contractor, who is in the service of an employer, as defined by 39-71-117, under any appointment or contract of hire, expressed or implied, oral or written. See Montana Code 39-71-118

(2)If an injured worker prefers a brand-name drug, the worker may pay directly to the pharmacist the difference in the reimbursement rate between the brand-name drug and the generic-name product, and the pharmacist may bill the insurer only for the reimbursement rate of the generic-name drug.

(3)The pharmacist may bill only for the cost of the generic-name product on a signed itemized billing, except if purchase of the brand-name drug is allowed as provided in subsection (1).

(4)When billing for a brand-name drug, the pharmacist shall certify that the generic-name drug was unavailable.

(5)The department shall establish a schedule of fees for prescription drugs.

(6)Except as provided in subsection (8), a pharmacist may not dispense more than a 30-day supply at any one time.

(7)For purposes of this section, the terms “brand name” and “generic name” have the meanings provided in 37-7-502.

(8)An insurer may not require a worker receiving benefits under this chapter to obtain medications from an out-of-state mail service pharmacy. However, an insurer may authorize up to a 90-day supply of medications from an in-state mail service pharmacy.

(9)The provisions of this section do not apply to an agreement between a preferred provider organization and an insurer.