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So far Erica Joyner has created 543 blog entries.

New Jersey

As a reminder, before departing office, former Gov. Phil Murphy (D) rescinded Executive Order 415, a COVID-era measure that allowed advanced practice nurses (APNs) and physician assistants (PAs) to prescribe without a collaborative agreement with a physician. The recission is effective February 16. NACDS cautions members to be aware of this change in policy when filling prescriptions from non-physician providers. APNs and PAs have received notifications from their governing boards.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

2026-02-12T17:55:09-05:00February 12, 2026|New Jersey|

North Carolina

Medicaid will be launching a new Pharmacy Benefit Administrator (PBA) on May 2. As part of this transition, the pharmacy component of NCTracks will be decommissioned and moved to the new PBA operated by Prime Therapeutics. Beginning May 2, the new PBA will process Point-of-Sale pharmacy claims for Medicaid Direct.

The Managed Care Plans will continue to operate as they do today. There is no change to their PBM or Point-of-Sale pharmacy processing. This transition only impacts beneficiaries utilizing Medicaid Direct.

To support a smooth transition, there will be a series of provider education webinars:

  1. Provider Webinar #1 (Hosted by Prime): Scheduled for March 20, this session will focus on high-level PBA transition information and include a live system demo from Prime Therapeutics.
  2. Provider Webinar #2: Tentatively planned for April 21, this session will provide a deeper dive into operational functions of the Prime PBA and address any hot topics identified during the first webinar.

For more information, visit the PBA website.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

2026-02-12T17:54:40-05:00February 12, 2026|North Carolina|

North Dakota

CMS has until the end of February to approve the state’s revised budget. The state cannot release funds until it receives CMS’ approval. After receiving CMS’ approval, the Department of Health and Human Services (ND HHS) will begin releasing different funding opportunities in phases. The first grant funding opportunity may be released in late February or early March, depending on the timing of CMS’ approval. As each funding opportunity becomes available, the application and other materials will be posted on the ND HHS’ Rural Health Transformation website.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

2026-02-12T17:53:53-05:00February 12, 2026|North Dakota|

Oregon

The Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) posted its draft agenda and meeting materials for the February 18 meeting. Check the PDAB website for updates prior to the meeting. Register in advance.

Also in Oregon, the PDAB published its quarterly newsletter for January 2026. Past editions are available online.

Also in Oregon, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) published a temporary rule adopting the new version of the High-Cost Drug Carve-Out (HCDCO) List effective February 1. In September 2025, OHA leadership and the Governor’s office agreed to implement a number of changes effective January 2026 that would reduce costs and administrative burden for coordinated care organizations (CCOs). Starting January 1, 2026, select high-cost drugs are carved out from CCO capitation. This is referred to as the High-Cost Drug Carve-Out (HCDCO). OHA reviews prior authorization (PA) requests for HCDCO products. Approved treatments will be covered by OHA directly on a fee-for-service (FFS) basis according to FFS reimbursement rules. CCOs are responsible for everything else, including care coordination, drug administration, inpatient stays, transportation, etc. There are 47 drugs on the initial HCDCO List. They all have a high cost ($500k or more per member per year) and treat a rare condition that has few, if any, other treatment alternatives. New drugs requested for review may be added to the HCDCO List up to four times a year following the rulemaking process if they meet these criteria.

Finally in Oregon, the Department of Human Services announced a new resource to help promote food resources across the state. Individuals may visit NeedFood.Oregon.gov to find food resources near them.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

2026-02-12T17:53:20-05:00February 12, 2026|Oregon|

Tennessee

The Department of Health recently released a “Dear Colleague” provider communication highlighting recent changes to the hepatitis B vaccine recommendations. Specifically, this communication emphasizes the severity of hepatitis B infection for infants and adolescents, as well as how hepatitis B often goes undiagnosed, which leads to a delay in treatment.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

2026-02-12T17:52:49-05:00February 12, 2026|Tennessee|

Washington

NACDS sent members a Call to Action for SSB 5924, legislation expanding pharmacist practice authority by allowing independent prescribing and diagnosis within a pharmacist’s scope of practice, determined by their individual training, education and experience. The amended bill on the Senate floor lists certain conditions that pharmacists, meeting defined educational and experiential criteria, are authorized to treat.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

2026-02-12T17:52:16-05:00February 12, 2026|Washington|

Wisconsin

The Department of Health Services (DHS) is forming a Rural Health Advisory Council to provide strategic guidance and input as the state advances its rural health implementation efforts. The advisory council will help inform how Wisconsin sets rural health priorities, designs programs and incorporates real-world provider and community perspectives into implementation strategies. Applications are due February 27.

DHS is seeking applicants from the following groups:

1. Individuals or Organizations Involved in Rural Health Service Delivery

This includes those who:

  • Provide services in rural hospitals, rural health clinics, community health centers, long-term care facilities, local or Tribal health departments or county human services agencies
  • Practice as individual providers in rural communities, including primary care and behavioral health providers, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, EMS professionals, community health workers and peer support specialists
  • Represent organizations that support health care providers

2. Individuals With Lived Rural Health Experience

This includes individuals who receive care in rural Wisconsin through rural hospitals, rural health clinics, community health centers, long-term care facilities, local or Tribal health departments or county human services agencies.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

2026-02-12T17:51:44-05:00February 12, 2026|Wisconsin|

Wyoming

Gov. Mark Gordon (R) announced that, last month, the state submitted a SNAP [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program] Food Restriction Demonstration Waiver to the US Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, marking a significant step toward strengthening nutrition outcomes for Wyoming families. Approved under Executive Order 2025-07, the waiver proposes a phased approach to limiting the purchase of certain non-nutritive items with SNAP benefits, beginning with sweetened, carbonated beverages in the first year, followed by candy in the second.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

2026-02-12T17:47:37-05:00February 12, 2026|Wyoming|

Rural Health Corner

Alaska: RHTP Funding Application Webinar Recap: This session focused on the state’s approach to implementing the RHTP Funding Application Process. The Alaska RHTP Funding Application Process Recap provides a thorough review of the webinar.

Some Key Highlights from the Webinar include:

  • Alaska Community Foundation will administer grants to community partners
  • The portal for Registration & Letter of Interest (LOI) will be open February 17 – March 11
  • Registration Questions include:
    • Project title
    • Organizational contact information
    • Organization’s total operating budget
    • Organization’s Service Area (from drop-down list)
    • Organization Type (from drop-down list)
    • Employer Identification Number (EIN)
    • Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)
  • LOI Components include:
    • The problem or opportunity you hope to address
    • Alignment to the Alaska RHTP Initiatives
    • Sense of readiness, timing and resources needed
    • Potential partner

Webinar Resources

For more information on Alaska’s RHTP, please visit:

Rural Health Transformation Program | State of Alaska | Department of Health

or email the following:

Program Questions: RHTP@alaska.gov

Portal Questions: RHTP@alaskacf.org

NACDS has launched a biweekly Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Workgroup Meeting Series to support member engagement and strategic participation as states advance program implementation.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

2026-02-12T17:47:02-05:00February 12, 2026|Rural Health Corner|
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