Pharmacists for Fair Reimbursement What your state's PBM laws actually mean for community pharmacies
State Tracker Updated June 15, 2026

Louisiana: what the PBM reimbursement law requires

Louisiana requires PBMs to reimburse local community pharmacies at no less than their acquisition cost — defined as the national average drug acquisition cost (NADAC) — plus a professional dispensing fee, using a NADAC-based reimbursement formula effective January 1, 2026. Pharmacies may appeal a below-acquisition-cost payment within 15 days.

Status Enacted
Law Act 474 (2025) / HB 264 — La. R.S. 22:1868 (replacing the 2024 SB 444 floor)
Effective date January 1, 2026 (the 2024 SB 444 acquisition-cost floor took effect Jan 1, 2025 and is superseded)
Reimbursement basis No reimbursement below acquisition cost, defined as NADAC; PBMs must use a NADAC-based reimbursement formula plus a professional dispensing fee
Professional dispensing fee Required as a formula component; no dollar amount set in statute
Appeal route Pharmacy may appeal a below-acquisition-cost payment within 15 days of payment, with a wholesaler invoice; if upheld, the PBM pays the difference and adjusts similarly situated pharmacies

Louisiana moved from an acquisition-cost floor to a NADAC-based reimbursement formula. Under Act 474 (2025), codified at La. R.S. 22:1868, a PBM may not reimburse a Louisiana “local pharmacy” less than its acquisition cost — expressly defined as NADAC — and from January 1, 2026 must build reimbursement from a NADAC benchmark plus a professional dispensing fee.

A pharmacy may appeal a payment below acquisition cost within 15 days, supported by a wholesaler invoice; if the appeal is upheld the PBM must pay the difference and adjust similarly situated pharmacies. The law applies to “local” pharmacies (Louisiana-domiciled, fewer than 10 outlets) and excludes the state employee plan (Office of Group Benefits). It replaces a narrower acquisition-cost floor that the 2024 SB 444 put in place for 2025.

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