OptumRx Can Force Florida Pharmacies Into California Arbitration

OptumRx can haul Florida pharmacies disputing drug reimbursements into California for arbitration, a state appeals court ruled in a reversal of a lower court opinion.

The pharmacy benefit manager giant can tap state court judges—not just federal judges—to use federal arbitration law to enforce its arbitration agreement and compel alternative dispute resolution with Florida pharmacies all the way across the country in Los Angeles, the Florida Second District Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday.

It’s the latest Florida win for OptumRx, which late last year won forced arbitration on 500 pharmacies rebate claims in a separate Florida district appeals court. Unlike ...