The Board of Pharmacy is scheduled to hold its regular meeting on October 16 at 9:30 am. On the agenda is a discussion of legislation: HB 383, an Act to prohibit discrimination against 340B drug distribution.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
In anticipation of the impact of Hurricane Milton, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) issued Executive Order (EO) 24-215, amending EO 24-214 and declaring a state of emergency for 51 counties. The State Surgeon General signed Emergency Order 24-003, which among other items, permits pharmacies and prescription department managers to operate in multiple or mobile locations.
Also in Florida, effective September 30, Florida’s minimum wage increased from $12.00 per hour to $13.00 per hour. This increase is a result of Constitutional Amendment No. 2 passed by voters in the 2020 election. In accordance with the amendment, the minimum wage is set for annual increases on the path to a $15 minimum wage by September 30, 2026. The requirement applies to both public and private employers, regardless of size. Florida Statutes requires employers who must pay their employees the Florida minimum wage to post a minimum wage notice in a conspicuous and accessible place in each establishment where these employees work. Please download the updated 2024-2025 minimum wage poster and display accordingly to ensure you are following posting requirements.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
After six years of service, the Deputy Secretary and Chief of Staff Kim Opsahl departed the Family and Social Services Administration (IFSSA) on October 11.
Also in Indiana, the Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) has a new Claims Submission and Processing Manual.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Iowa Medicaid posted INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO. 2630-MC-FFS 2024 Pharmacy Dispensing Fee Increase. Effective October 1, 2024, the Iowa Medicaid dispensing fee increased from $10.38 to $10.63 based on the 2022 Cost of Dispensing survey.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
MedImpact issued a communication to pharmacies this week as a reminder about each managed care organizations (MCO) lock-in policy, including a list of each MCO’s criteria.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Department of Health issued Informational Bulletin 24-33. Open Enrollment for Medicaid members starts on October 15 and ends on December 2. During this period, members may change their health or dental plans without a qualifying reason.
The Prescription Drug Affordability Board met on October 7. The meeting’s main purpose was to finalize the draft for the questionnaire for public payors and to provide an update from the legislative planning workgroup, specifically concerning LD 1829. The Board is scheduled to meet next on November 25 at 10:30 am.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
The Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) and Stakeholder Council (PDASC) announced upcoming meeting schedules:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
On October 4, MassHealth released the results of its cost of dispensing study. It was announced that the proposed updated dispensing fee for chain pharmacies will be reduced by $1.51 per prescription from $10.02 to $8.51. This proposed change is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025. The dispensing fee for independent pharmacies will be increased by 19 cents to $10.21. The division also announced a policy change that will require managed care organizations (MCOs) to pay the MassHealth fee-for-service rate to independent pharmacies instead of the current managed care contract rate. MCOs will continue to pay chain pharmacies the negotiated contract rate. The raw data from the cost of dispensing survey is expected to be made available within the next two weeks. The proposed amendments will be submitted to CMS for its approval.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.