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So far Michael Silber has created 2118 blog entries.

Nebraska

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced plans to distribute Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) benefits to households in the state with school-age children eligible for free or reduced-price school meals and children in childcare during the 2022-2023 school year period.  

Also in Nebraska, the DHHS issued recent guidance regarding Executive Orders expiring on June 30, 2023. The following requirements are no longer waived or deferred as of July 1, 2023. Providers are encouraged to reacquaint themselves with the original, pre-Executive Order, specific requirements. For more information, contact DHHS.LicensureUnit@Nebraska.gov.  

  • Time-limited Provisional Licenses Pending Successful Examination Results 
  • Onside, Face-to-Face, or Direct Supervision to Complete Certain Work or Training Required to Obtain a Credential 
  • Practice Agreements 
  • Direct Client-contact Hours 

Finally in Nebraska, the DHHS posted the following bulletins: 

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

2023-05-19T11:42:38-04:00May 19, 2023|Nebraska|

Nevada

The Retail Association of Nevada, NACDS and the Nevada Pharmacy Alliance sponsored the Pharmacy Day at the Capitol on May 1. More than 50 pharmacists and pharmacy students met at the Capitol to advocate for patient care and the profession. Pharmacist State Senator Jeff Stone (R), the sponsor of SB 201, legislation that clarifies pharmacists can order CLIA tests and serve as lab director, as well as providing payment parity for Medicaid services provided by pharmacist, joined the group that evening at The Brewery in Carson City.

Also in Nevada, SB 57, legislation which will require PBMs to register the Division of Insurance and Department of Business and Industry passed the Senate and is pending in the Assembly Committee on Commerce and Labor.  

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

2023-05-19T11:41:52-04:00May 19, 2023|Nevada|

New Hampshire

The New Hampshire legislature has approved an NACDS supported bill SB 35, a bill that will authorizes pharmacists, pharmacy interns and licensed advanced pharmacy technicians to administer an RSV vaccine to adults. The bill now awaits signature from the Governor.

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

2023-05-19T11:40:55-04:00May 19, 2023|New Hampshire|

New York

On May 16, the State Department of Health held a monthly NYRx Medicaid Pharmacy Benefit transition call for pharmacies. The state encourages members to continue to use the portal and call with any issues. The upcoming change of note is starting July 1, 2023; all claims will require a prior authorization via the IVR/Portal System (with some exceptions).

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

2023-05-19T11:39:32-04:00May 19, 2023|New York|

Ohio

The Board of Pharmacy posted numerous guidance updates related to the expiration of the Public Health Emergency and the policies and waivers they adopted during the COVID pandemic, including: 

To view the full list, go to Pharmacy.Ohio.Gov.   

Also in Ohio, the Ohio Department of Medicaid and Gainwell Technologies are continuing the reimplementation of prior authorizations (PA) based on specific drug classes. Of note, the PA reimplementation only applies to new, initial authorizations. It does not apply to those patients who have previously taken the drug supported by recent claims history prior to May 23, 2023. Phase 6 of reimplementation will begin on May 23 and contain the following:   

  • Analgesic Agents: Gout  
  • Blood Formation, Coagulation, and Thrombosis Agents: Colony Stimulating Factors, Hematopoietic Agents, Hemophilia Factor, Heparin-Related Preparations, Oral Anticoagulants, Oral Antiplatelets 
  • Cardiovascular Agents: Angina, Hypertension and Heart Failure, Antiarrhythmics, Lipotropics  
  • CNS Agents: Alzheimer’s Agents, Anticonvulsants Rescue, Fibromyalgia Agents, MAT of Opioid Addiction, Movement Disorders, Multiple Sclerosis, Narcolepsy, Neuropathic Pain, Smoking Deterrents
  • Endocrine Agents: Diabetes- Hypoglycemia treatments, Endometriosis, Estrogenic Agents, Growth Hormone, Osteoporosis-Bone Ossification Enhancers, Progestin Agents, Uterine Fibroids 
  • GI Agents: Pancreatic Enzymes, Proton Pump Inhibitors 
  • Genitourinary Agents: Electrolyte Depleter Agents, Urinary Antispasmodics
  • Infectious Disease: Antibiotics-Inhaled 
  • Ophthalmic Agents: Antibiotic and Antibiotic-Steroid Combination Drops and Ointment, Antihistamines and Mast-Cell Stabilizers, Dry Eye Treatments, Glaucoma Agents, NSAIDS, Ophthalmic Steroids 
  • Otic Agents: Antibacterial and Antibacterial/Steroid Combinations 
  • Respiratory Agents: Antihistamines-Second Generation, Cystic Fibrosis, Epinephrine Auto-Injectors, Hereditary Angioedema, Inhaled Agents, Leukotriene Receptor Modifiers & Inhibitors, Monoclonal Antibodies-Anti-IL/Anti-IgE, Nasal Preparations, Other Agents 
  • Topical Agents: Antifungals, Antiparasitics, Corticosteroids 

Please reference the Unified Preferred Drug List (UPDL) posted on the SPBM portal to see products that require a PA. PAs may be submitted via phone, fax, mail and the SPBM portal. Please direct questions to the Gainwell Technologies Help Desk at 1-833-491-0344.  

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

2023-05-19T11:38:44-04:00May 19, 2023|Ohio|

South Carolina

On May 16, Gov. Henry McMaster (R) signed into law NACDS’ priority PBM reform legislation Senate Bill 520. The measure takes effect January 1, 2024; however, the Department of Insurance is prohibited from performing audits of PBMs before January 1, 2025. South Carolina’s regular legislative session has adjourned Sine Die; however, Governor McMaster has called the legislature back into special session to discuss abortion legislation. 

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

2023-05-19T11:36:27-04:00May 19, 2023|South Carolina|

Tennessee

The Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) has launched a new, updated website. This website has direct links to the Standard Pharmacy Reimbursement Appeal Form and the formal Pharmacy Benefit Manager Complaint Form. The complaint form is fully electronic now to add ease of use on pharmacies and patients to submit complaints to TDCI. 
  
Also in Tennessee, please see the provider notice regarding Sedative Hypnotic Benefit Limits. We encourage you to review this information and contact the OptumRx Provider Liaisons at tnrxeducation@optumrx.com with any further questions.

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

2023-05-19T11:34:09-04:00May 19, 2023|Tennessee|

Texas

HB 1105, by Sen. Pete Flores (R) and Rep. Four Price (R), legislation that lowers the age to three years old and up for pharmacies to administer all vaccines and immunizations, is awaiting a hearing date in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. NACDS and Texas Federation of Drug Stores’ (TFDS) chain pharmacists and independent pharmacists descended on the Capitol this week to educate all 31 Senate offices on the merits of the bill, sharing a Coalition letter signed by 13 Texas organizations, and passing out several pharmacy groups one-pagers explaining the bill. Late Thursday evening, the bill was posted for an 8:00 a.m. hearing on Friday morning in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Then an hour later, the Committee Chair, Senator Lois W. Kolkhorst (R), removed the bill from the agenda because of a disagreement with Sen. Flores. 

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

2023-05-19T11:33:32-04:00May 19, 2023|Texas|

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