Kentucky
Magellan published a provider notice outlining September Preferred Drug List changes in Medicaid.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Louisiana
The Board of Pharmacy quarterly meeting is scheduled on November 15 and 16 at the Board’s office in Baton Rouge. Prior to the meeting, the agenda and public meeting binder will be accessible here.
Also in Louisiana, Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) appointed 5 members to the 17-member Board of Pharmacy.
- Ricky Indovina, pharmacist with Ochsner Health System to a third six-year term;
- Raymond Strong, PharmD, with Ascension DePaul Services to a second six-year term;
- Pharmacist Jennifer Elliott Dupree with Walmart, a new member to a six-year term;
- Richard Mannino, independent pharmacy owner to a second six-year term and
- Chris Melancon, a new independent staff pharmacist to a six-year term.
Finally in Louisiana, on October 19th, the Medicaid Fee for Service (FFS) Pharmacy Program announced the implementation of an electronic drug prior authorization application to achieve a more streamlined authorization process.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Minnesota
NACDS reminds members that the mandatory Medicaid Cost of Dispensing Surveys are due back to Myers & Stauffer on November 16. Myers and Stauffer mailed and emailed the surveys to pharmacies on October 19. You can access the survey documents, download an electronic version, and find instructions for responding on behalf of multiple locations on Myers & Stauffer’s Minnesota webpage.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
North Carolina
The mandate for health care organizations and providers that serve state-funded patients to connect to the state-designated HIE by January 1, 2023, is fast approaching. The legislative changes enacted in the 2022 Appropriations Act may leave organizations and providers with questions about their connection status. Our General FAQs on NC HealthConnex gives more answers about the impacts on NC HealthConnex participants and non-participants.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Ohio
This week, ODM (Ohio Department of Medicaid) (Ohio Department of Medicaid) reversed its policy that required provider participation in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program under the SPBM (Single Pharmacy Benefit Manager), Gainwell. To increase access to pediatric vaccines, Gainwell announced they will now cover pediatric vaccine claims by non-VFC providers, reimbursing product costs and an administration fee. NACDS worked jointly with the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants and members to advocate for this policy with both ODM and the Governor’s office.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Oklahoma
The Board of Pharmacy alerted licenses that the Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision (OMLS) has interpreted the laws and rules for Physician Assistants (PAs) prescribing Schedule II prescriptions. OMLS interpretation is that PA’s can only prescribe Schedule II drug orders for immediate or on-going administration on-stie, which they define as a hospital, emergency room, ambulatory surgery center, medical clinic, or office in cases of emergency, or state-owned VA long term care facilities with an in-house pharmacy. PAs cannot prescribe Schedule II prescriptions in an outpatient setting for dispensing by a retail pharmacy.
Also in Oklahoma, the Board of Pharmacy will be closed November 30-December 2 so that they can move back to their newly renovated offices at 2920 N. Lincoln Blvd. Ste. A, Oklahoma City, OK 73105.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Oregon
The Board of Pharmacy is seeking applications from persons interested in serving on a workgroup concerning pharmacy interns. For more information, including the online application, visit the “Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) & Workgroup Information” webpage.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Pennsylvania
Gov. Tom Wolf (D) signed HB 1630 last week, just one day after the bill passed the General Assembly. HB 1630 allows the Auditor General access to PBM (Pharmacy Benefit Manager) data in the Medicaid Managed Care Program to perform audits. Notably, with the intent of expanding access to drug therapies, the bill was amended in the Senate Health Committee to repeal the provision in Section 1121.53(c) of 55 Pa. Code that limits payment for prescriptions in Medical Assistance to a 34-day supply or 100 units. Additionally, the following bills of interest to pharmacy were also signed:
- SB (Senate Bill) 225 (Act 146 of 2022) makes changes to prior authorization procedures and requires one form of MAT to be covered by Medicaid and private insurance without prior authorization requirements,
- HB 1393 (Act 111 of 2022) decriminalizes the use of fentanyl test strips for personal use and
- SB 1201 (Act 162 of 2022) requires health insurance policies to provide coverage for prescription eye drop refills at 70% of the prescription duration
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Rhode Island
Please see Medicaid Program November 2022 provider update.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.