Erica Joyner, Author at In The States

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So far Erica Joyner has created 543 blog entries.

Kansas

The Legislature will convene on January 12 and adjourn by April 10.

Also in Kansas, Mandy Czechanski is the new Executive Director of the Kansas Pharmacy Association (KPhA).

Finally in Kansas, the Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) hired Myers and Stauffer to conduct a study on the cost of dispensing. The results confirmed what pharmacists have been saying all along, that the cost to dispense has risen rapidly while reimbursements continue to decline. The results showed the cost to dispense a prescription is $11.38 for chain pharmacies and $15.85 for independent pharmacies, which is well above the current Medicaid rate of $10.50.

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

Erica Joyner2026-01-08T16:51:42-05:00January 8, 2026|Kansas|

Louisiana

The Department of Health’s (LDH) published Informational Bulletin 25-34, detailing changes to the Medicaid Managed Care Contracts for United Healthcare effective January 1, 2026.

Also in Louisiana, LDH revised Informational Bulletin 25-27, related to the 340B Drug Pricing Program.

Also in Louisiana, Act 464 of 2025 permits a pharmacist to dispense ivermectin to a person 18 years of age or older pursuant to a standing order. Subsequently, LDH issued a standing order and documentation authorizing pharmacists to dispense ivermectin to individuals 18 years of age and older.

Also in Louisiana, the Department of Insurance issued an Advisory Letter to all PBMs licensed in Louisiana and all health insurance issuers that contract with PBMs alerting them that Act 474 of 2025 established a new professional dispensing fee reimbursement for local independent pharmacies only effective January 1, 2026.

Finally in Louisiana, the Department of Health (LDH) appointed Seth Gold as the new Medicaid Director. He has a decade of experience in federal health policy, most recently serving as a professional staff member for the US House Committee on Energy and Commerce, where he advised members of Congress on Medicaid, CHIP and the 340B Drug Pricing Program.

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

Erica Joyner2026-01-08T16:50:53-05:00January 8, 2026|Louisiana|

Missouri

The Legislature convened the regular session on January 7 and will adjourn by May 15.

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

Erica Joyner2026-01-08T16:50:13-05:00January 8, 2026|Missouri|

Nebraska

The Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda for its January 12 meeting. Please note the discussion addressing the reduction of retail pharmacy hours and filling of controlled substance prescriptions issued by emergency rooms. Also, the Board posted the draft November 17, 2025, meeting minutes.

Also in Nebraska, the Medicaid Provider Manual has recently been updated; see Provider Bulletin 25-30A for more information.

Finally in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the “First-In-The-Nation Waiver Restricting Soda and Energy Drinks from SNAP [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program]” effective January 1, 2026.

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

Erica Joyner2026-01-08T16:49:45-05:00January 8, 2026|Nebraska|

New Jersey

SB 2019, legislation permitting pharmacists to prescribe HIV pre- and post-exposure therapy according to the pharmacy “standard of care” model passed the General Assembly unanimously on December 22, 2025, and is now on the Governor’s desk for signature. The bill also requires public and private insurers to reimburse pharmacies at the same rate as other providers offering the same service.

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

Erica Joyner2026-01-08T16:49:01-05:00January 8, 2026|New Jersey|

New Mexico

The Legislature will convene a 30-day fiscal session on January 20 and adjourn on February 19.

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

Erica Joyner2026-01-08T16:41:01-05:00January 8, 2026|New Mexico|

Nevada

The Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda for the January 14-15 meeting in Las Vegas.

Also in Nevada, the legislature is not in session in 2026.

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

Erica Joyner2026-01-08T16:40:11-05:00January 8, 2026|Nevada|

North Carolina

The latest Medicaid Pharmacy Newsletter, dated December 2025, is now available on the Medicaid website. In addition to the January 2026 checkwrite schedule, this edition of the newsletter includes the following articles:

Reminder: Immunizing Pharmacist Enrollment in NC Medicaid Contraceptives and NRT Protocol Reimbursement to Pharmacies
NC Medicaid’s Participation in Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Cell and Gene Therapy Access Model for Sickle Cell Disease
Discontinuation of Coverage: Xifaxan (Rifaximin)
North Carolina to Launch First-of-its-Kind NC Medicaid Managed Care Plan for Children and Families on Dec. 1, 2025
Billing Reminder of a Third-Party Prescription to Medicaid
NC Medicaid Reinstitutes Coverage for GLP-1s in Weight Management

Also in North Carolina, following the recent announcement of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) award by CMS, the state reaffirmed its commitment to continue collaboration with a broad coalition of state agencies, rural providers, community partners, academic institutions and the private sector. To advance this collaboration, the Department of Health and Human Services will host a virtual town hall on January 16 to outline program goals, discuss next steps and highlight the anticipated statewide impact. Additional details and registration information will be shared soon. For updates and more information, visit the NC Rural Health Transformation Program webpage.

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

Erica Joyner2026-01-08T16:39:32-05:00January 8, 2026|North Carolina|

North Dakota

The North Dakota State University (NDSU) Center for Collaboration & Advancement in Pharmacy (CAP Center) is hosting a Community Health Worker (CHW) Q&A. Pharmacies have a new opportunity in North Dakota to get reimbursed for services. This opportunity is for a pharmacy technician to become certified as a Community Health Worker. To learn more about this opportunity, NDSU invites pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to an informal Q&A session focused on Community Health Workers (CHWs) and how to get started.

What is a community health worker? Community Health Workers connect individuals to appropriate services and resources to help them improve their health. Many pharmacy technicians already provide these types of services. Becoming a CHW presents an opportunity for pharmacy technicians to bill for these services and help the people they serve; see Medicaid Billing and Policy Manual for more information.

This will be an open conversation—not a presentation—where you can:

Ask questions about CHW certification, implementation, and best practices
Share ideas and learn from others
Simply listen if you prefer

Format:

60 Min Interactive Q&A (no formal presentation)
Preferably, questions are submitted in advance to help guide the discussion (submit here or below)
Live questions are welcome during the session

Date & Time:

January 27: 12:00 noon-1:00 pm (CST) – Zoom Link: https://ndsu.zoom.us/j/98102199233

February 10: 12:00 noon-1:00 pm (CST) – Zoom Link: https://ndsu.zoom.us/j/99640636505
Registration is not required. If you forget or lose the link, feel free to email Lisa Nagel (lisa.nagel@ndsu.edu).

Please submit your questions by January 22: Submit Your CHW Questions Here!

Also in North Dakota, the Department of Health and Human Service issued a Health Advisory regarding the use of antivirals for the treatment of influenza.

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

Erica Joyner2026-01-08T16:38:44-05:00January 8, 2026|North Dakota|