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So far Michael Silber has created 2118 blog entries.

Minnesota

HF 1197 and SF 1176, companion bills that would make pharmacy immunization and testing practice consistent with the federal PREP Act, have been introduced. The bills also include Medicaid reimbursement language. NACDS is working with the Minnesota Pharmacists Association and the Minnesota Retailers Association, supporting their on-the-ground efforts to advance the bills.  

Also in Minnesota, this week’s Department of Health COVID Provider Newsletter includes a segment encouraging providers’ to begin planning for when COVID vaccine is only available from the commercial market. 

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

2023-02-10T09:51:25-05:00February 10, 2023|Minnesota|

Montana

SB 112, allowing pharmacists to prescribe certain medications with limitations, passed the Senate Human Services Committee (6-3) and the Senate (34-15). The bill is now in the House Human Services Committee.  

 

Also in Montana, SB 239, making pharmacist and technician immunization flexibilities under the PREP Act permanent, will not advance. The Montana Retail Association and the Montana Pharmacy Association are seeking a new sponsor and a new placeholder draft, LC 1310, permitting a pharmacy intern and technician to administer immunizations. 

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

2023-02-10T09:50:46-05:00February 10, 2023|Montana|

Nebraska

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) posted recordings from the January 4 and February 6 COVID-19 Provider Calls. 

Also in Nebraska, the DHHS will host the next monthly COVID-19 provider call on March 1 at 12:00 noon (Central). Details will be posted on the website one week before the call. 

Also in Nebraska, the DHHS issued Provider Bulletin 23-02: Resuming Regular Reviews of Medicaid Eligibility and Provider Bulletin 22-22: CGM [Continuous Glucose Monitoring] Coverage by Medicaid. 

Finally in Nebraska, DHHS launched its iServe Nebraska Portal Explore Benefits Tool. The new portal offers an easy-to-use system for individuals to apply to get help with food, heat, electricity, healthcare, childcare, and other essential needs. Individuals may apply for a single benefit or more at the same time. 

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

2023-02-10T09:50:12-05:00February 10, 2023|Nebraska|

New York

Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) included in her budget an affirmation of the transition of Medicaid Fee-for-Service, which is set to become effective April 1. Another webinar will be held for stakeholders on February 21. 

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

2023-02-10T09:49:39-05:00February 10, 2023|New York|

Ohio

ODM (Ohio Department of Medicaid) posted Myers & Stauffer’s 2022 Fee-For-Service Pharmacy Cost of Dispensing Survey report.  NACDS is currently analyzing the report that found that the cost to dispense increased since 2020 but that increase was mostly prevalent among smaller pharmacies. Survey results included a weighted mean of $9.46 and a weighted median of $8.44 as the cost to dispense for non-specialty providers.

Also in Ohio, ODM Director Maureen Corcoran testified about the proposed biennial budget proposal, confirming that the proposal includes funding for a “modest” pharmacy Professional Dispensing Fee (PDF) increase. NACDS has been advocating for an increase since the September announcement of the PDFs for the SPBM (Single PBM). No details are yet available, but NACDS expects to update members very soon.

Finally, in Ohio, ODM and Gainwell (SPBM) are continuing to re-implement prior authorizations (PA) requirements in stages by specific drug classes. The reimplementation only applies to new, initial authorizations. Phase 3 begins on February 14 for these specific classes:  

  • Age Restricted Medications (denoted with “AR” on the UPDL (Unified Preferred Drug List)) 
  • Benzodiazepines 
  • Central Nervous System (CNS) Agents: Skeletal Muscle Relaxants, Non-Benzodiazepine
  • Endocrine Agents: Diabetes- Insulin 
  • Endocrine Agents: Diabetes- Non-Insulin 

Members can reference the Unified Preferred Drug List on the SPBM portal to see products that require a PA. Additional PAs will be reimplemented during the first quarter of 2023.  

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

2023-02-10T09:49:04-05:00February 10, 2023|Ohio|

Oklahoma

SB 913, legislation allowing pharmacies administer medications to treat for certain conditions on the result of a positive screening test was heard in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on February 9.  

Also in Oklahoma, Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready appointed Ashley Scott the new Director for the Oklahoma Insurance Department’s (OID) Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Compliance and Enforcement Division, and Molly Clinkscales as the lead attorney for the program. 

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

2023-02-10T09:48:13-05:00February 10, 2023|Oklahoma|

Oregon

NACDS submitted comments to the Board of Pharmacy expressing concerns with the current proposals in Divisions 019 and 041 related to safe pharmacy practice conditions. As currently drafted, these proposals give a pharmacist unrestricted authority to close a pharmacy if that pharmacist feels, in their opinion, that staffing is insufficient to fill prescriptions or provide other services to patients; this may result in pharmacy closures across the state. In our letter, we stated current regulations are sufficient to provide the Board with authority to act against pharmacies that are not providing a safe work environment. 

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

2023-02-10T09:47:29-05:00February 10, 2023|Oregon|

Pennsylvania

The General Assembly’s joint Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) finally released its study of Pharmaceutical Pricing in the Commonwealth’s Medicaid managed care program this week. The study was mandated by the passage of HB 941 of 2021, legislation that required key reforms to PBM practices in the program. These included prohibiting claw backs, increasing transparency and eliminating spread pricing. Though LBFC cited they had difficulty accessing key data from PBMs and the program, the report makes several recommendations to the General Assembly to tighten up current law, by increasing drug pricing transparency and enforcing the requirement for the release of data. NACDS is working with the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drug Stores (PACDS), the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association (PPA) and members to develop legislation to address these issues. 

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

2023-02-10T09:47:01-05:00February 10, 2023|Pennsylvania|

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