Washington
The Health Care Authority (HCA) is publishing quarterly updates to many of the Apple Health billing guides and fee schedules, effective April 1, 2022.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
West Virginia
Governor Justice (R) has signed two bills aimed at the regulation of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). SB 312 provides legislative approval for Rules promulgated by the Insurance Commission to enact HB 2263 of 2021, landmark legislation that sets a reimbursement floor and provides a level playing field for community pharmacy. HB 4112 provides for pharmacy freedom of choice for specialty drugs, addresses 340B programs and will be effective for policies executed, amended or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2023.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Alabama
All previously published expiration dates related to the COVID-19 emergency are once again extended by the Alabama Medicaid Agency (Medicaid). The new expiration date is the earlier of April 30, 2022, the conclusion of the COVID-19 national emergency, or any expiration date noticed by Medicaid through a subsequent alert.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Arkansas
Since methamphetamine is currently the states’ greatest drug threat, the Department of Human Services (DHS) launched the “Me Over Meth” prevention campaign.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
California
The Board of Pharmacy issued an Amended Waiver: Staffing Ratio of Pharmacists to Intern Pharmacists and General Supervision and Interprofessional Supervision – Immunizations – BPC section 4114.
Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services issued Stakeholder News that it is still accepting claims for individuals enrolled in the COVID-19 Uninsured Group Program. The COVID-19 Uninsured Group Program will end the last day of the calendar month in which the federal COVID-19 public health emergency ends. For questions or concerns, please email COVID19Apps@dhcs.ca.gov.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Hawaii
SB (Senate Bill) 3140, legislation requiring the holder of a controlled substances registration to report theft, embezzlement, fraud, or diversion of a controlled substance immediately, is advancing having passed the Senate earlier this month. This week, the House Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee recommended passage on the Second Reading and referral to Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Iowa
The Board of Pharmacy published the following final rules effective April 27:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Missouri
MO HealthNet (Medicaid) issued an Opioid Policy update strengthening clinical policies and expanding coverage of non-opioid medications and services to treat chronic pain. MO HealthNet believes in a comprehensive approach to treating and managing pain while also reducing the risk of patient harm, continuing to encourage providers to evaluate non-opioid options to treat patient pain.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Nebraska
Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) signed into law LB 767, creating the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Licensure and Regulation Act. This act “…establishes the standards and criteria for the licensure and regulation of pharmacy benefit managers….” The effective date is January 1, 2023.
Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services issued a “Health Alert Network Advisory” about increasing incidence of syphilis in the state.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.