Alaska
The Board of Pharmacy held its quarterly meeting in mid-February and provided a meeting packet to all virtual attendees which included an update on the Prescription Monitoring Program.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Arizona
SB 1214, legislation that would permit pharmacists pursuant to a statewide written protocol to independently test and treat for flu, strep, COVID, PEP/PrEP or a condition related to an emerging or existing public health threat for individuals 12 years of age and older, passed the Senate and was transmitted to the House. Also, a pharmacist may delegate the task of performing the test to a licensed staff member under the supervision of the pharmacist.
Also in Arizona, HB 2628, legislation that would allow a pharmacist to order and administer emergency medication to manage an acute allergic reaction to medication administered at the pharmacy, passed the House, and was transmitted to the Senate.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Arkansas
Several Walgreens pharmacists, including Nichole Cover, Director of Pharmacy Affairs, and Christina Kelley, Pharmacy Manager, participated in the Arkansas Pharmacy Day at the Capitol in February with Arkansas Pharmacy Association President John Vinson and Harding University College of Pharmacy student pharmacist, Ethan Pell.
Also in Arkansas, the Insurance Department’s (AID) Commissioner Alan McClain issued Bulletin 2-2025 updating the PBM reporting process, extending the review period for Rule 128 submissions because of the high volume of reports received.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
California
The Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts, weekly notices and monthly bulletin on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Florida
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) issued Executive Order Number 25-44, creating the state’s Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) task force, which will work to further eliminate waste within state government, save taxpayers money and ensure accountability in the state.
Also in Florida, the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) scheduled a workshop for Rule 59G-4.002, F.A.C., Provider Reimbursement Schedules and Billing Codes, for March 11 from 10:00 am to 10:30 am at AHCA, 2727 Mahan Drive, Building 3, Tallahassee, FL 32308. A virtual option or call-in number will not be available for this meeting. Official notice of the meeting was published in Vol. 51/No. 38 of the Florida Administrative Register (FAR) on February 25. A copy of the notice may be found at https://flrules.org/Gateway/View_notice.asp?id=29291301; click on “View Notice”. Please note that a preliminary draft of the reference material, if available, will be posted prior to the meeting on the Rules Web page.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Hawaii
The Hawaii Pharmacists Association (HPhA) is bringing back Pharmacy Advocacy Day at the Hawai’i State Capitol. HPhA members and non-members are welcome to attend this free event where the association will coordinate meetings with state legislators to discuss the importance of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. This date is coordinated with the crossover of many pharmacy initiatives and will help provide momentum as bills travel through their second chambers.
- Date: March 20
- Time: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Location: Hawai’i State Capitol, 415 S. Beretania St., Honolulu, HI 96813
A networking lunch will be sponsored by HPhA, attendees will be recognized on the House floor during session, and health screenings will be provided by University of Hawai’i Hilo Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy student pharmacists to Capitol employees and visitors. Please register here to attend and email hawaiipharm@gmail.com with any questions. Registration closes on March 16.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Illinois
The Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) will post its updated Preferred Drug List (PDL) on March 13. This update will include all changes that have been made during the past 12 months. While the Pharmacy Benefit Management System (PBMS) prior authorization system is pending restoration, HFS strongly encourages prescribers to prescribe and pharmacies to fill using drugs from the PDL, as clinically appropriate. This will prevent customers from having to change medications in the future when the prior authorization system is restored. As a reminder, HFS’ PDL can be accessed online. For questions, please contact a pharmacy billing advisor at 877-782-5565, option 7.
Also in Illinois, this notice informs providers of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services’ (HFS) compliance with Public Act 103-0593, which removes prior authorization requirements for Serious Mental Illness (SMI) pharmaceuticals that treat certain diagnoses for patients experiencing a change in behavioral health provider, a change in insurance provider or a change in dosage. The Act clearly defines which diagnoses constitute serious mental illness and the circumstances under which prior authorization is prohibited. The policy applies to both the fee-for-service (FFS) program and the HealthChoice Illinois (HCI) managed care organizations (MCOs) and was effective January 1, 2025.
HFS will waive the prior authorization requirement when the patient is stable on an SMI medication and one or more of the following conditions are met:
- The patient has changed providers, including having changed from an inpatient to an outpatient, or
- The patient has changed insurance providers or
- When a prior authorization has been previously approved for a patient, and the new prescription modifies dosage, dosage frequency or both.
A one-time prior authorization may be required in instances where HFS does not have the patient’s prescription history and stability on the existing regimen must be confirmed.
Select safety edits will remain in place, ie, clinically appropriate drug utilization review (DUR) edits, including, but not limited to, drug-drug, drug-age, drug-dose requirements. HFS may require generic use where one is available and meets the needs of the patient. Questions regarding this notice may be directed to a pharmacy consultant in the Bureau of Professional and Ancillary Services at 877-782-5565 for FFS claims or the applicable HCI MCO.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Indiana
SB 140, the commercial rate floor bill establishing a minimum reimbursement rate of the pharmacy’s acquisition cost plus a professional dispensing fee equal to the Medicaid fee-for-service dispensing fee, was amended, passed the Senate and was referred to the House Committee on Insurance.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Maine
On March 3, the Joint Health and Human Services Committee held a working session on the budget, which includes a $.70/prescription tax on all prescriptions dispensed in the state. NACDS attended along with the Retail Association of Maine, the Maine Pharmacists Association and the Maine Society of Health–System Pharmacists. The budget is still pending and will next be reviewed by the Joint Appropriations Committee.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Massachusetts
In April 2025, MassHealth will migrate its Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) base application and Provider Online Service Center (POSC) to an Amazon Web Services (AWS) data center. MassHealth has published All Provider Bulletin 401- MMIS POSC Migration to Amazon Web Services, which outlines key cutover information. All published bulletins can be found on Mass.gov
The MassHealth Business Support Service (BSS) Provider Relations team will be hosting an information session on March 10 at 10:00 am. Please register online. The following information will be addressed:
- Reasons for Migration: Understanding the benefits of transitioning to AWS.
- Timeline of Activities: Key steps along with dates and times you need to be aware of.
- Provider Impact: How this change may affect your workflow which might include technical impact of the changes, adjusted claims processing timelines, checking member eligibility; along with steps you can take to minimize any disruptions.
If you have questions, please contact MassHealth at (800) 841-2900 or provider@masshealthquestions.com.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Nevada
AB 186 by Rep. David Orentlicher (D), a pharmacist, filed legislation expanding pharmacists’ scope of practice by allowing test and treat for minor ailments and allowing pharmacists to be recognized as lab directors and order tests. Also, it cleans up existing conflicting laws regarding administering and ordering CLIA-waived tests. NACDS and the Your Care Coalition submitted support letters. The bill was heard in the Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee on March 3. Testimony in support of the bill was presented by Ken Kunkle with the Nevada Pharmacy Alliance (NPAA), Liz MacMenamin with the Retail Association of Nevada (RAN) and Albertsons pharmacist Liz Moyr. Doctors opposed.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
New Mexico
HB 174, legislation that requires a rate floor for “local” pharmacies, unanimously passed the House on March 3 and was referred to the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee. Chain pharmacies oppose the bill because it applies to local pharmacies only.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Ohio
The Board of Pharmacy issued the following bulletins:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Oklahoma
Three PBM reform bills community pharmacies supported were unanimously approved by the Senate Business and Insurance Committee and will now advance to the full Senate.
- SB 789 addresses below-cost reimbursements by establishing a reimbursement rate floor of no less than 106% of the NADAC plus a professional dispensing fee of $15.00; NACDS sent a support letter;
- SB 993 sets requirements and limits for audits; and
- SB 773 enhances the Attorney General’s enforcement authority ensuring proper reimbursement.
Also in Oklahoma, NACDS and the Your Care Coalition rallied support for SB 741, the test and treat bill, before the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on March 3. The bill title was amended and passed out of the committee. The next action will be on the Senate floor.
Also in Oklahoma, SB 806, Food is Medicine legislation that would improve access to important nutrition services for SoonerCare beneficiaries by incentivizing improvements in their health and controlling healthcare costs by seeking a 1115 waiver, passed out of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and was referred to the full Senate. NACDS sent the Senators a support letter.
Finally in Oklahoma, legislation all pharmacies support, SB 906 by Sen. Paul Rosino (R), increasing the retail pharmacy technician to pharmacist ratio from 2:1 to 4:1, which is what is currently the ratio in other practice settings, cleared the Senate Health and Human Service Committee and referred to the Senate floor.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
South Dakota
SB 154, legislation prohibiting pharmaceutical manufacturers from interfering in contracts between 340B entities and pharmacies, passed the Senate and passed the House Health and Human Services Committee with 8-5 vote.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Tennessee
The Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) recently posted a consent order with Express Scripts citing multiple violations of PBM laws and rules in the state, including improper payments regarding 277 claims, which adversely affected 40 pharmacies in the state. Express Scripts must pay a civil penalty of $250,000.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Texas
The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) briefed health partners on the measles outbreak throughout Texas. DSHS is posting updates on Tuesdays and Fridays when there are new cases to report.
Also in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) issued an updated Pharmacy Provider Procedure Manual.
Also in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) appointed Heisha Freeman as a public member to the Board of Pharmacy, replacing Garrett Marquis who resigned. Freeman’s term will expire on August 31, 2029.
Finally in Texas, March 14 marks the 60th day of the 89th Regular Legislature Session, and the deadline for House and Senate members to file a bill.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Utah
HB 519, legislation addressing the 340B drug discount program, passed the House and was introduced in the Senate. This bill would prohibit a pharmaceutical manufacturer from restricting, prohibiting or otherwise interfering with a 340B entity’s ability to acquire a 340B drug or participate in the 340B drug discount program.
Also in Utah, HB 257, legislation related to health insurance pharmacy benefits, passed the House and was introduced in the Senate. This bill would require a health benefit plan to ensure pharmaceutical rebates are used for certain purposes to benefit enrollees and require a PBM offers certain options to self-funded health benefit plans that (1) comply with provisions of Subsections 31A-22-643(4) and (5), collectively and individually; and (2) do not include spread pricing.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Virginia
After an intense advocacy effort compressed into a 60-day legislative session, pharmacy scored a major victory in Richmond this session with the passage of SB 875 and HB 2610, companion Medicaid Managed Care PBM reform bills. The bills overwhelmingly passed the General Assembly in a bipartisan vote. The bills would require the Medicaid managed care plans to contract with a single PBM under terms set by the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS). The contract would require:
- clear statements of the PBM’s fiduciary duty to the state;
- pass-through pricing;
- a common formulary, reimbursement methodologies and dispensing fees negotiated by DMAS; and
- transparency in drug pricing.
NACDS issued an NACDS RxIMPACT action alert and urges members with operations in the Commonwealth to contact Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) to express how critical these bills are to patient access and pharmacy viability. Should he sign the bill, Virginia would join Ohio and Kentucky as the third state to reform PBM practices in Medicaid Managed Care under a single PBM.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Washington
HB 1520 and SB 5513, identical pharmacists’ scope expansion of practice bills, failed to get scheduled for a public hearing this session. To advance the independent authority legislation next session, pharmacies need to engage in the Sunrise Review process and submit support letters by April 1.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Wyoming
On February 28, Gov. Mark Gordon (R) signed SF 119, legislation to streamline and simplify professional and occupational licensure requirements for miliary service members or miliary spouses.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Arkansas
HB 1150 prohibits out-of-state PBMs from having in-state pharmacies, passed the Committee on Commerce and Insurance and is pending further action by the House.
Also in Arkansas SB 58, Act 52, is a new law approved on February 13, 2025, removes the prohibition for a nonprofit tax-exempt, or government-funded hospitals, to hold a licensed pharmacy permit.
Finally in Arkansas, HB 1442, is a patient freedom to choose their pharmacy and prevent anti-competitive practices bill was scheduled for a hearing in the House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee on February 20.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Arizona
NACDS submitted a letter of support to the Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Committee for SB 1214, legislation expanding public access to pharmacy test and treat services. Additionally, NACDS, along with the American Pharmacists Association, Walgreens, and Walmart, submitted a letter of support to the Arizona Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Committee for Arizona SB 1214, legislation that would permit pharmacists to provide test and treat services for common illnesses, such as flu, strep throat, and other respiratory conditions. The bill passed out of the committee with a 5-2-0-0 vote.
Also in Arizona, NACDS submitted a letter of support to the House Health & Human Services Committee for HB 2208, legislation establishing a cost-based reimbursement rate floor that will provide pharmacies and pharmacists with long-overdue reimbursement predictability related to crucial healthcare services provided in local communities across the state. The bill passed out of the committee with a 9-0-2-0-0 vote.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
California
The Board of Pharmacy announced the modification and/or extension of the waivers of Pharmacy Law issued in response to the Los Angeles Fires.
The waiver that provides flexibility to increase the number of pharmacy technicians a pharmacist may supervise has been modified and the expiration date has been extended to June 30, 2025 (or the termination date of the state of emergency, whichever is sooner).
The expiration date of the waiver that provides flexibility for pharmacy personnel to perform some functions from outside of a licensed pharmacy has been extended to June 30, 2025 (or the termination date of the state of emergency, whichever is sooner).
The expiration date of the waiver to allow for the delivery of drugs to an alternate location has been extended to March 31, 2025 (or the termination date of the state of emergency, whichever is sooner).
Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following:
- February 2025 Pharmacy Medi-Cal Update Bulletin
- February 2025 Durable Medical Equipment and Medical Services Medi-Cal Update Bulletin
Finally in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts and a weekly notice on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal. Please note the 2025 prescription volume attestation survey will be available to providers March 1 through March 31. Also, to avoid mail delivery delays and save paper, Medi-Cal Rx encourages pharmacy providers to opt into receiving the Medi-Cal Rx remittance information via the Electronic Remittance Advice (ERA) format.
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Payment for Error Rate Measurement Review
- Upcoming Pharmacy Professional Dispensing Fee Provider Self-Attestation
- Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-up for January 31-February 6
- State of Emergency Override Extension: Los Angeles and Ventura Counties
- Reminder: Providers Encouraged to Sign Up for Medi-Cal Rx Electronic Remittance Advice
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Connecticut
On February 20, 2025, the Joint Committee on Human Services held a hearing on several bills, including H6101, An Act Concerning Medicaid Coverage of Food as Medicine and Expanding Access to the Connecticut Farmers’ Market/Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program. NACDS testified and submitted testimony in coordination with the Connecticut Chain Pharmacy Council and the Connecticut Food Association.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.