OKLAHOMA CITY — In the wake of conversations with large employers and CVS/Caremark, “Remedies are coming to nearly 300,000 Oklahomans impacted by Caremark’s decision to do away with 90-day and mail-order pharmacy benefits,” state Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready said on May 11.
The Oklahoma Insurance Department filed an administrative action in March against Caremark for alleged violations of “steering patients” to CVS pharmacies and prescription mail-order services.
A hearing was scheduled for May 25, at which Mulready said he would seek to censure, suspend, place on probation, or revoke the Pharmacy Benefit Manager license of Caremark. In addition, the agency announced it would seek restitution and/or levy fines for each alleged violation.
Since that filing, the OID has been in discussions with large client employers such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Phillips 66. “In addition to those conversations, we have met with CVS/Caremark, and they now have a plan in place to allow 90-day and mail-order options for at least 80% of the plans by July,” Mulready said.
“I am encouraged by the recent change of course and focus of Caremark to develop a plan with their employer groups that will resolve the current issues facing many Oklahomans,” the commissioner said.
“We have met with their leadership, and I am committed to making sure this plan becomes a reality. We were originally informed that solutions would not be available until March of 2024, so we look forward to this resolution taking place in the coming months.”