AGENDA: Pharmacy Benefits Managers Workgroup Meeting Two
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Pharmacy Benefits Managers Workgroup Meeting #2
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
This meeting is virtual through the Zoom platform.
ZoomGov Link:
https://maryland-insurance.zoomgov.com/j/1657121839Dial-In: (646) 828-7666
Webinar ID: 165 712 1839
- Welcome – Bonnie Cullison, Delegate, Montgomery County, Vice Chair of the Health Committee; Steve Johnson, Delegate, Harford County, Chair of the Health Committee’s Pharmaceuticals Subcommittee; Marie Grant, MIA, Insurance Commissioner
- Overview of Charge #3, Coverage Requirements and Definition of “Specialty Drug” – Mary Kwei, MIA, Associate Commissioner, Market Regulation and Professional Licensing
- Questions for Group Discussion - Mary Kwei, MIA, Associate Commissioner, Market Regulation and Professional Licensing
- What are the benefits and drawbacks of § 15-847 and/or COMAR 10.67.06.04 to Maryland consumers and patients as it exists today? What are the impacts of the law on health care premium costs, consumer out of pocket spending, and patient access and quality of care?
- What are the specific elements of the current definition of specialty drug that are beneficial to Maryland consumers and patients for cost, quality and access - and why? What specific elements have detrimental aspects on cost, quality and access and why?
- If there are aspects of the definition that are detrimental to Maryland consumers and patients, how would you change the definition to be most beneficial for access, quality, and cost?
- How do the current exemptions from the specialty drug law for oncology, diabetes, HIV, and AIDS impact patient premium costs, out of pocket spending, and patient access and quality of care?
- What types of requirements must pharmacies meet to enter an insurer's specialty network and what is the rationale for these requirements? What is the benefit of restricting specialty drug availability to pharmacies that have been credentialed as specialty pharmacies by URAC or a similar body? Are there other ways for insurers to set requirements for entry of a pharmacy into a specialty network beyond URAC accreditation?
- What are the typical services that comprise “enhanced patient education, management, or support” beyond those required for traditional dispensing, and why is a specialty pharmacy necessary to provide those services?
- Follow-Up From Previous Workgroup Meeting - Athos Alexandrou, MDH, Director, Office of Pharmacy Services
- Comments from Workgroup Members
- Comments from Public Stakeholders, as time allows
- Closing Remarks – Mary Kwei, MIA, Associate Commissioner, Market Regulation and Professional Licensing; Athos Alexandrou, MDH, Director, Office of Pharmacy Services
If you would like to offer public comments during the virtual meeting, please notify the MIA and MDH in advance by submitting your request to [email protected]. Because of the nature of the ZOOM Events platform, a special invitation is required to be seen and/or be heard via the platform. For that reason, the MIA and MDH can only assure the opportunity to speak during the virtual meeting to those interested parties who have signed up by Friday, June 26, 2026, and provided an e-mail address to which an invitational link to the virtual meeting can be sent.
A public access link that allows individuals to view the virtual meeting will be posted on the MIA's website. To the extent that time and technology permit, the Workgroup will hear from unregistered participants who access the Zoom Event platform.
