Utah
On March 1, the Department of Workforce Services (DWS) will begin to review all Medicaid cases over the next 12-month unwinding period of continuous eligibility/coverage.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Virginia
HB 2274, a bill that would allow pharmacists to test and treat for flu, COVID, strep and UTIs (urinary tract infections) under a statewide Board of Pharmacy protocol, is on Governor’s desk for signing. Its companion, SB 948, was conformed to the house bill and is now on the House Floor after passing the Senate unanimously. NACDS continues to collaborate with members and in-state partners to get these bills across the finish line. They are the final piece in updating Virginia’s law to match the PREP Act. NACDS is also advocating for SB 1538, which would strengthen the Medicaid reimbursement provisions for pharmacy-based services. This bill passed the Senate and will now be heard in the House.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
West Virginia
NACDS continues to work on priority issues. HB 2754, that would make the pharmacy immunization allowances from the federal PREP Act permanent in state law, passed the House and is now in the Senate Health and Human Resources Committee. HB 2723, now included in a Senate Rules package, SB 361, authorizes the Board of Pharmacy to promulgate a rule increasing the pharmacy technician ratio from 1:4 to 1:6. The same bill also includes a final rule modernizing collaborative practice agreements to allow for population–based care. Notably, the collaborative practice rule is currently effective as an emergency rule. NACDS is also tracking a bill that would provide legislative approval of the PBM rule pursuant to the passage of HB 2263 of 2021. That language is now engrossed in Committee Substitute SB 345 which has passed the Senate and been sent to the House Judiciary Committee.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Wyoming
This week, a call for topics for the 2023 joint interim committee was announced with a deadline of February 24 at 4:00 p.m. Requested topics may originate from any source but should be submitted or sponsored by a legislator and presented to the committee by a legislator. Submissions must be made using the online form. Questions regarding the submittal of the interim topic request form may be directed to Kelly Lower.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Alabama
Medicaid is preparing for the end of the continuous enrollment conditions originally associated with the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (CAA) included significant changes to the continuous enrollment condition outlined in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). These changes take effect April 1, 2023. For more information, please review the ALERT.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Arizona
SB 1460, permitting pharmacists to test and treat for influenza, a respiratory infection and a condition related to a public health threat by the Department of Health Services for which a statewide standing order, rule or executive order is issued, will not advance this year. Stakeholder meetings will take place in the interim in preparation for legislation in 2024.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
California
The Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts and weekly notices on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal. Please note the reinstatement resources and information below.
- Drug Use Review (DUR): Additive Toxicity (AT) – System Issue Resolved (February 6)
- Reinstatement Spotlight (February 3)
- Correction to Alert Link for 30-day Countdown – Reinstatement of Prior Authorization Requirements for 46 Drug Classes Including Medical Supplies (February 3)
- Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-up for January 27-February 2 (February 3)
- Updated: Appendix H – List of Physician Administered Drugs (PADs) with Reject Code 816 (February 1)
- Updates to Over-the-Counter (OTC) COVID-19 Antigen Test Kits, Effective March 1, 2023 (February 1)
- Medi-Cal Rx Monthly Bulletin for February (February 1)
- Changes to Contract Drugs List (CDL) (February 1)
- Updates to Medi-Cal Rx Provider Manual (February 1)
- Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-up for January 20-26 (January 27)
- Reinstatement Spotlight (January 27)
Also in California, Medi-Cal posted the following: Medi-Cal Update – Pharmacy – January 2023 – Bulletin 1032 (Correction) (January 31)
Finally in California, the Board of Pharmacy posted agenda and meeting materials for the February 15 meeting of the Enforcement and Compounding Committee.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Florida
House Speaker Paul Renner and Senate President Kathleen Passidomo announced on February 3 that legislators will hold a 12-day special session that started on February 6.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Illinois
The Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) wishes to inform providers that due to the widespread availability of generic Tamiflu (oseltamivir), the Department will end the temporary procedures outlined in the December 9, 2022 provider notice effective March 1. This affects the Medicaid fee-for-service (FFS) program and the managed care organizations (MCOs).
Effective March 1, the Department will no longer reimburse providers for dispensing brand name Tamiflu or for compounding suspensions with brand name Tamiflu. While there is no current shortage of oral suspension, compounding with the generic oseltamivir will be allowed only in emergency situations, as there still may be localized areas of shortage where demand is high.
The drugs will be removed as preferred products on the Preferred Drug List, and prior authorization will again be required for brand Tamiflu under the FFS program and the MCOs.
Please direct questions regarding this notice to a pharmacy consultant in the Bureau of Professional and Ancillary Services at 877-782-5565 for FFS claims, or the appropriate MCO.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.