Erica Joyner – Page 5 – In The States

Texas

NACDS attended the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute’s Healthcare Policy Summit in Austin. Led by Republican Senators Pete Flores and Kelly Hancock and Representatives James Frank and Dr. Tom Oliverson, the program focused on exploring how to best expand the scope of practice for medical professionals to increase access to high-quality, affordable healthcare services for all Texans. Panelists Kevin Host with Walmart, Jay Bueche with HEB and Samatha Pickering with Walgreens, educated lawmakers and regulators on the value of pharmacists and pharmacies. A second panel addressed what steps legislators need to take to ease the regulatory burdens that drive up costs for consumers and employers.

Pictured left to right – Sen. Pete Flores (R), NACDS Chairman of the Board Kevin Host and Texas Rep. Dr. Tom Oliverson

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

Erica Joyner2024-05-24T10:39:58-04:00May 24, 2024|Texas|

Vermont

On May 22, the Board of Pharmacy held its regular monthly meeting. The agenda included a legislative update, license review and an election for a new vice chair. The rules revisions the board has been working on will be sent soon to the Interagency Committee on Administrative Rules. The next meeting will be held June 24.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

Erica Joyner2024-05-24T10:38:57-04:00May 24, 2024|Vermont|

Alabama

Please find the latest ALERT for pharmacy providers regarding coverage for adult vaccines, COVID vaccines and their administration. Also, an ALERT regarding coverage of adult vaccines for non-pharmacy providers has been released. Both versions have been released and will be sent to the respective provider lists. Medicaid shared both ALERTs so that individuals were aware there is a specific notice for pharmacy providers as the billing is unique to pharmacy. All ALERTs can be found here.

Also in Alabama, the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) has approved a community-based mobile crisis state plan amendment (SPA) that allows Alabama to create mobile crisis intervention teams to provide Medicaid crisis services. Alabama will be able to provide these services by connecting eligible individuals in crisis to a behavioral health provider 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. For more information on this approval, please see the full Alabama SPA.

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

Erica Joyner2023-12-08T10:10:04-05:00December 8, 2023|Alabama|

Alaska

The Board of Pharmacy scheduled a special meeting on December 7 to review public comments received for the most recent publicly noticed regulations project, continue the discussion on unexpected closures of pharmacies.

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

Erica Joyner2023-12-08T10:09:11-05:00December 8, 2023|Alaska|

Arkansas

The Insurance Commissioner issued a Bulletin #20-2023 defining business days and hours in the Prior Authorization Transparency Act.

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

Erica Joyner2023-12-08T10:08:35-05:00December 8, 2023|Arkansas|

California

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) posted the following alerts, weekly notices, and monthly bulletin on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal. Please note the “Maximum Allowable Ingredient Cost 30-Day Pharmacy Provider Notice”; rates will be effective January 1, 2024, and will be posted to the Mercer Med-Cal Rx website no later than December 1, 2023. Also note the “Commercial COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage for Children” alert providing an updated policy whereby COVID-19 vaccines are a Medi-Cal Rx pharmacy benefit for members three years of age and older.

Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-up for November 17-30 (December 1)
Reinstatement Spotlight (December 1)
30-day Countdown: Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan Transition (December 1)
Maximum Allowable Ingredient Cost 30-day Pharmacy Provider Notice (December 1)
Medical Supplies Updates: Updates to Contracted Pen Needles, Insulin Syringes, and Sterile Syringes with Needles (Non-Insulin), Effective January 1, 2024 (December 1)
Medical Supplies Update: Updates to Diabetic Testing Supplies, Effective January 1, 2024 (December 1)
Medical Supplies Update: Updates to List of Contracted Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose Systems (Glucometers), Control Solutions, and Lancing Devices, Effective January 1, 2024 (December 1)
Updates to the List of Contracted Enteral Nutrition Products, Effective January 1, 2024 (December 1)
Medi-Cal Rx Monthly Bulletin for December (December 1)
Changes to the Medi-Cal Rx Contract Drugs List (December 1)
Updates to the Medi-Cal Rx Provider Manual (December 1)
Commercial COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage for Children (November 29)
Paper Remittance Advice: Dollar Sign Placement Update (November 22)
Reinstatement Spotlight (November 17)

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy provided this important alert and reminder to licensees about the drug xylazine.

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

Erica Joyner2023-12-08T10:08:01-05:00December 8, 2023|California|

Colorado

Gov. Jared Polis (D) convened a special session in mid-November to address property taxes.

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

Erica Joyner2023-12-08T10:07:20-05:00December 8, 2023|Colorado|

District of Columbia

The Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) Quarterly Pharmacy Stakeholders meeting will take place on December 19 and 20. A virtual meeting link is available by RSVP’ing to allison.williams@primetherapeutics.com no later than December 18.

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

Erica Joyner2023-12-08T10:06:48-05:00December 8, 2023|District of Columbia|

Indiana

The Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) issued a bulletin reminding pharmacy providers to submit claims with the appropriate DAW codes.

Also in Indiana, after four interim legislative hearings, the Health Care Cost Oversight Task Force issued a report with seven recommendations for legislation, including increasing transparency and prohibiting spread pricing by PBMs, third parties and insurers.

Finally in Indiana, the IHCP Bulletin 2023168 provides informational updates on the November Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board.

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

Erica Joyner2023-12-08T10:06:16-05:00December 8, 2023|Indiana|

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