Kentucky
MedImpact, the state’s single PBM, announced that beginning September 28 they will cover and reimburse certain new COVID vaccines and issued an updated protocol.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
New York
Effective September 1, 2025, NYRx, the state's Medicaid Pharmacy program, announced coverage for the 2025-2026 formulations of the COVID-19 vaccine. Effective September 5, 2025, in accordance with the Executive Order #52 and the guidance issued by the Commissioner of Health, pharmacists are authorized to order patient-specific orders for COVID-19 vaccination for patients aged 3 years and older for off-label usage of COVID-19 vaccine. See Advisory Immunization Notification titled 2025-20206 COVID-19 Guidance for Pharmacists located at https://commerce.health.ny.gov. Enrolled pharmacy providers will be reimbursed for vaccine cost and administration when administered to eligible members. Pharmacies will bill NYRx using the National Council on Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) D.0 format.
The Department has since then issued an update on non-patient specific standing order for the administration of the Pfizer-BioNTech updated COVID-19 vaccine (2024-2025 Formula) for persons 5 years of age and older by pharmacists.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Minnesota
Gov. Tim Walz (D) issued an executive order (EO) to address the state’s intention to ensure that vaccine access is preserved and expanded. The EO directs various government agencies to investigate ways to expand access to payment for vaccines. NACDS intends to work with members and state partners to advocate for strengthening pharmacy vaccine reimbursement.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Pennsylvania
In the wake of the massive pharmacy closures across the Commonwealth, the Senate Pharmacy Caucus held a briefing this week to discuss the crisis and examine models to reform Medicaid Managed Care pharmacy reimbursement that received widespread press coverage. NACDS and PACDS were heavily involved in preparation for the briefing, including drafting questions, providing supporting materials and meeting directly with the Senators and senior staff. Following the Department of Human Services' (DHS') testimony, the Senators, led by Caucus Chairs Judy Ward (R), Lisa Boscola (D) and Tina Tartaglione (D), aggressively grilled Secretary Val Arkoosh. They expressed strong exception to the Secretary's testimony that downplayed the role of Medicaid rates on pharmacy closures; their lack of awareness that chains operating in the greater Philadelphia metro area are receiving a $1.00 professional dispensing fee after the health plan raised it to $3.00 for independents; the fact that they are approving rates that don't comply with their MCO contract terms that require both the ingredient cost and professional dispensing fee to reflect pharmacies' actual costs. NACDS participated in the Pennsylvania Pharmacy Coalition panel that testified next, dismissing DHS' points and emphasizing that immediate pharmacy reimbursement is critical to protect patients' access to medications and healthcare services. Senators Ward and Boscola will soon introduce legislation backed by the Pennsylvania Pharmacy Caucus and drafted by NACDS, to require cost-based reimbursement under a non-conflicted, transparent single PBM model.
Also in Pennsylvania, a group of House Democratic health professionals announced that they introduced legislation that would protect Pennsylvanians' access to recommended vaccines. HB 1828 would require private insurers to cover vaccines that have been recommended by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, based on the vaccine guidelines of professional medical societies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
South Carolina
Gov. Henry McMaster (R) has issued an executive order prohibiting the use of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits to purchase candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and other sweetened beverages. The order directs the Department of Social Services to submit a waiver request to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service to implement the policy.
The executive order also provides specific definitions for candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and sweetened beverages, while outlining certain exceptions.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Tennessee
Effective October 1, TennCare will cover OTC medications and supplements at a GPI (generic product identifier) level rather than by specific NDCs. Please review this document for additional information and instructions on how to dispense such products.
Also in Tennessee, TennCare distributed an updated Preferred Drug List (PDL) that was effective on September 1. Additional TennCare updates are available online. Subscribe to the TennCare Pharmacy Updates newsletter to receive updates directly from TennCare.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Virginia
On September 10, the Department of Health issued a standing order authorizing the dispensing and administration of COVID vaccines to adults.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Colorado
The Department of Public Health Environment issued a Public Health Order and Standing Order today to address COVID-19 vaccine administration. These orders enable all vaccine providers to administer these vaccines in accordance with the Standing Order, eliminating the need for additional prescriptions. In addition to the Public Health Order and Standing Order, the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy will engage in emergency rulemaking on Friday, September 5, to adopt changes to Rule 3 and 19 to allow for continuity of vaccinations, especially COVID, thus ensuring that pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and pharmacy technicians may continue to prescribe, dispense and administer vaccinations in accordance with applicable Colorado Revised Statutes.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Florida
Under Constitutional Amendment No. 2, approved by voters in 2020, Florida's minimum wage will rise again this fall. Beginning September 30, 2025, the state minimum wage will increase from $13.00 to $14.00 per hour.
The amendment requires annual increases until the rate reaches $15.00 per hour by September 30, 2026. This applies to all employers in Florida—public and private—regardless of size.
Employers must also update required workplace postings to reflect the new wage. Updated posters will be made available for download once released.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.