Alaska
Earlier this month, NACDS sent a letter to Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) urging him to sign HB 195, a bill that significantly expands patient access to essential pharmacy-based healthcare services. The legislation broadens pharmacists’ authority to administer medications and offer services aligned with their education, training and experience and professional standards of care. On June 18, the governor vetoed the bill, but the legislature convened a special session and overrode the veto the following day.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Arizona
Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) signed SB 1713, legislation enabling pharmacists to test and treat for common respiratory conditions and furnish HIV prevention medications, including Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP).
Also in Arizona, Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) signed HB 2434, legislation modifying requirements related to the Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program (CSPMP), including pharmacies, pharmacists and other pharmacy personnel.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Colorado
The Centennial State is the second state to gain FDA approval for a program to lower prescription drug costs for its residents by importing prescription drugs from Canada. Florida earned the approval in 2024, but it has yet to begin importing any drugs.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Iowa
Iowa Medicaid published INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO. 2738-FFS RE: Statewide Provider Revalidation Initiative. Revalidation will occur over a two-year period, from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028. Providers will receive revalidation notices in phases. Each provider will have approximately 30 days to complete the revalidation process once notified.
Also in Iowa, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) accepted the resignation of the Iowa Health and Human Services (HHS) Director Larry Johnson, whose confirmation was blocked by Iowa Senate Democrats in April for partisan political reasons, and appointed Kraig Paulsen, Director of the Iowa Department of Management, to also serve as Director of Iowa HHS at the pleasure of the governor. To ensure efficient and effective operations are maintained at Iowa HHS, Director Paulsen has appointed Johnson as Principal Deputy Director of the department. Pursuant to Iowa Administrative Code 441—1.3(3), Director Paulsen will retain all non-delegable duties and will delegate the remainder of his authority to administer the department to Principal Deputy Director Johnson.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Maryland
The Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) will meet virtually June 30 at 9:00 am. Registration is required. Please visit the PDAB‘s website for more information about the upcoming and previous board meetings and presentation materials and to learn more about the PDAB’s work.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Nebraska
The Department of Health and Human Services published Provider Bulletin 26-10 to notify Medicaid providers of changes to the Medicaid preferred drug list (PDL), effective July 17.
For more information, contact NACDS' Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Ohio: Medicaid and Gainwell released a bulletin regarding year-end payments to pharmacies.
Also in Ohio, the Board of Pharmacy published a Reporting Theft or Loss of Dangerous Drugs Pocket Card.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
South Carolina
The Department of Health and Human Services published MB# 26-019 RE: June-July 2026 Provider Payment Schedule and Provider Service Center Holiday Hours. See the bulletin for details.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Virginia
The General Assembly passed the Conference Committee Report on HB 30, the State Budget, this week and sent it to Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) for consideration. The budget contains language, proffered by the Virginia Association of Chain Drug Stores (VACDS) and NACDS, to temporarily permit pharmacies to use new FDA-approved formulations of the flu and COVID vaccines in 2026, regardless of ACIP recommendations.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Washington
The Health Care Cost Transparency Board made several recent changes to its advisory committee meetings:
- Separated the joint meetings of the Health Care Stakeholder Advisory Committee and the Data Issues Advisory Committee, based on your feedback, to ensure sufficient time for detailed discussion.
- Adjusted the meeting dates for the Nominating Committee and the Primary Care Advisory Committee.
Also in Washington, Apple Health (Medicaid) issued two provider updates:
- Effective July 1, the Health Care Authority (HCA) is publishing quarterly updates to many of the Apple Health billing guides. Billing guides are located on HCA's Provider billing guides and fee schedules webpage.
- HCA revised several vaccine billing guides, aligning its coverage policy with ESHB 2242, 2026 Regular Session to include the State Department of Health's immunization recommendations and guidance.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
California
The Department of Health Care Services posted the following on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:
Also in California, effective immediately, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) rescinded the standing order originally issued in January 2022 that allowed pharmacists to order and dispense OTC COVID-19 antigen test kits to eligible Medi-Cal beneficiaries.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Iowa
State Auditor Rob Sand announced the results of a recent audit about how PBMs manage prescription drug payments. The audit reviewed data from 2019-2021. The findings outlined in this report include concerns about compliance, financial integrity and oversight within Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program.
Also in Iowa, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed HF 2585, legislation directing the Board of Pharmacy to adopt rules to ensure that on or before January 1, 2027, if a person who is blind, has a visual impairment or other print disability requests access to prescription drug labels, bag tags and medical guides, a pharmacy provides access to prescription drug labels, bag tags and medical guides, or refer the person to a pharmacy that provides access to prescription drug labels, bag tags and medical guides. Additionally, on or before April 1 each year, the board shall publish a list on the board's website that contains the pharmacies that provide accessibility measures.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Maryland
The Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC) released version 2.0 of the Noncontrolled Prescription Drugs Dispenser Data Submission Manual (dispenser manual). This version includes non-substantive updates that clarify certain processes for reporting noncontrolled prescription drug (non-CDS) dispensing information to the State-Designated Health Information Exchange (CRISP). As a reminder, Maryland law (Health General Article §19-145) requires licensed dispensers to submit non-CDS dispensing information to CRISP. Annually, MHCC develops and approves the dispenser manual with technical guidance on the format and frequency for non-CDS reporting.
The MHCC is also seeking input on the following updates to version 2.0 of the dispenser manual:
- Updated images and descriptions of how to set up and manage an account in the reporting platform (RxGov) – pages 6-13
- Added information about new functionality in RxGov that allows submitters to assign roles for staff and to review and manage errors – pages 24-27
- Removed warnings for missing identifier in the RxNorm field and required an NDC for each dispense – Appendix A, pages 43 and 46
- Clarified instructions for submitting zero reports, including fields to complete and appropriate values – Appendix B, page 49
For more information on non-CDS reporting, please visit MHCC's dedicated webpage. Questions can be directed to mhcc.noncds@maryland.gov.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Michigan
The Department of Health and Human Services posted its presentation from the June Medicaid Pharmacy Liaison Committee meeting. Note that the deck contains timely information concerning how pharmacies can enroll to be reimbursed for clinical services.
Also in Michigan, the agenda for the June 17 Board of Pharmacy meeting has been released.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
New Hampshire
HB 1735 was passed by the General Court on June 4 and will be sent to Gov. Kelly Ayotte (R) for enactment. The legislation includes several key provisions impacting pharmacy care, including establishing a statutory standard of care provision within the Pharmacy Practice Act, delinking vaccine administration authority from ACIP and creating a remote processing allowance for pharmacy technicians.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
New York
With a favorable final vote in the Assembly of 133-0, the Patient Access to Pharmacy Act (S5939C/A5882C) passed both chambers of the Legislature this session and will be sent to Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) for enactment. The legislation will establish a reimbursement “floor” across all pharmacy network contracts in state-regulated commercial health plans based on the Medicaid fee-for-service rate, which is currently set at NADAC + $10.18. Additionally, the bill creates a payment appeals process for pharmacies dispensing higher cost medications that require special handling, increased delivery costs and other special services to ensure pharmacies receive an adequate dispensing fee to cover their costs in the specialty market. Advancing this legislation in partnership with the Community Pharmacy Association of New York has been a critical component of NACDS’ advocacy on pharmacy reimbursement this session.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Ohio
By a 31-2 vote, just before adjourning for summer, the Senate passed SB 230, that would permit pharmacists to test and treat for flu, strep and COVID under a Board of Pharmacy statewide protocol. The bill also requires insurance carriers and Medicaid to reimburse pharmacies for providing the services. We expect the House to take up the bill during the lame duck session in the fall.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Tennessee
Please see TennCare's recent updates to the Preferred Drug List (PDL), including changes to prior authorization (PA) criteria and quality limits, effective June 1. These updates may affect medication coverage, utilization management and prescribing processes across several therapeutic areas for patients with TennCare coverage.
Also in Tennessee, TennCare is currently conducting a cost-of-dispensing survey. The state, in collaboration with Mercer, opened the survey on June 1 and it will remain open through June 30.
An informational webinar was held on May 28 to review the survey process. If you anticipate needing an extension, please contact Mercer as soon as possible to discuss your options. Please note that the state is expected to continue applying a reduced dispensing fee of $5.00 for pharmacies that do not complete the survey.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Vermont
Gov. Phil Scot (R) signed NACDS priority legislation H.588 on June 8 to expand pharmacist test and treat authority across four conditions – Flu, Strep, COVID and HIV. The legislation received significant support from NACDS and its membership operating in the state and was widely endorsed by numerous in-state health groups and the Vermont Department of Health Access (DVHA). DVHA made recent references to the value of pharmacist test and treat services in its rollout of Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) grants.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
Virginia
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For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Alaska
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For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
California
The Department of Health Care Services posted the following on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:
Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy posted the agendas for the following committee meetings:
- Communications & Public Education Committee Meeting – June 10
- Enforcement & Compounding Committee Meeting – June 10
- Legislation & Regulation Committee – June 11
- Licensing Committee Meeting – June 11
Finally in California, the Board of Pharmacy published the May 2026 issue of "The Script".
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Colorado
On June 2, Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed HB 26-1336, legislation supported by NACDS, that expands access to pharmacy healthcare services and authorizes payment for these services. The bill enables children aged 12 years and older to receive test-and-treat services directly at pharmacies. Additionally, it permits pharmacy technicians, under the supervision of a pharmacist, to perform final product verification and other technical, non-discretionary tasks.
Also in Colorado, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) posted new information on the federal-level implementation of H.R. 1 because members and providers will be affected by these changes. HCPF updated the FAQs for stakeholders and for members, and created a work requirements screening tool. Also available are overview pages about H.R. 1 on both the Health First Colorado site and the HCPF site.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Florida
The Board of Pharmacy scheduled a Board Meeting for June 11 at 8:30 am EDT.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Idaho
The Board of Pharmacy posted information related to prescriptive authority for chiropractors holding a clinical nutrition certificate.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Illinois
The Department of Healthcare and Family Services issued a Provider Notice RE: Rybelsus Tablets to Ozempic Tablets. This change will apply to both the fee-for-service (FFS) program and Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) plans. There are no changes to Ozempic injections.
Novo Nordisk informed the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) that it will discontinue all strengths of Rybelsus tablets, requiring patients to be transitioned to Ozempic tablets. Beginning in May 2026, shipments of Rybelsus tablets to wholesalers will cease, with existing inventory expected to become limited starting in July 2026.
Please see notice for details. Questions regarding this notice may be directed to the Bureau of Professional and Ancillary Services at 877-782-5565 or the applicable MCO.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.