The Department of Health Care Services published its Medi-Cal Rx Monthly Bulletin – November 1, 2021 issue. Below is the outline from this month’s bulletin.  

1. Changes to the Contract Drugs List (CDL), Effective November 1, 2021 
2. Changes to the Contract Drugs List (CDL) – Over the Counter Drugs, Effective November 1, 2021 
3. Pharmacy Provider Notice 
4. Prior Authorization Fax Form Available 
5. Medi-Cal Rx Pharmacy Providers Electronic Fund Transfer Set Up and opt out 
6. Medi-Cal Rx Transition and Resources Training – Register Now! 
7. Medi-Cal Rx Transition Pharmacy Cutoff Instructions 

Also in California, as of January 1, 2022, all pharmacy benefits will transition away from CA-MMIS and the Medi-Cal managed care plans to Medi-Cal Rx. This transition will create a uniform process for pharmacy providers and prescribers and applies to everyone in Medi-Cal fee-for-service and managed care. All benefits that are billed on a pharmacy claim will be transitioned to Medi-Cal Rx and all Prior Authorizations (PA) will be reviewed by Medi-Cal Rx starting on January 1, 2022. Magellan Rx Management, the state’s vendor, created these resources and information to assist pharmacy providers in their preparations for the implementation of Medi-Cal Rx.  

• “Are you ready?” – Summary of information and resources for pharmacies and pharmacists. 
• The Contract Drugs List (CDL) is found on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal and contains the searchable Medi-Cal Formulary. The CDL displays drugs covered by Medi-Cal without a prior authorization (PA). The searchable CDL allows prescribers to easily identify all covered drugs. Registering for the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal allows for easy access to the Provider Portal, where the CDL can be found through the Forms & Information link. 

Also in California, the following documents were recently posted on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal: 

• User Administration Console (UAC) Registration – Next Steps 
• User Administration Console (UAC) Quick Start Guide 
• User Administration Console (UAC) Registration Reminders and Helpful Tips 
• Pharmacist Training Checklist 

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is seeking eligible persons to expand the Medi-Cal Contract Drug Advisory Committee to a maximum of ten members, including three pharmacists. Interested persons may submit their statement of qualifications and CV/resume to DHCS by November 19. For details, see “Medi-Cal Contract Drug Advisory Committee (MCDAC)” on the DHCS website.  

Also in California, NACDS submitted comments to the Board of Pharmacy outlining concerns with proposed rules that would impose onerous inventory reconciliation requirements on pharmacies throughout the state. Our comments urged the Board not to layer on additional requirements beyond what DEA requires, explaining that the Board’s proposal would result in a cumbersome new process for pharmacies to accommodate.  

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy published a Notice of Proposed Action that will require each permit holder to notify the board of any temporary closure of a facility as soon as the closure exceeds three consecutive calendar days. The closure status will be public information. Comments on the proposed text will be accepted by the board until December 13. 

Also in California, the Department of Consumer Affairs issued the following waiver extension:  

DCA Waiver DCA-21-200 Order Extending DCA-20-02, 20-57, 20-91, 21-165, and 21-187 Order Waiving License Reactivation or Restoration Requirements – Final Extension. A list of current waivers is available on the DCA website. 

Finally in California, the Department of Public Health developed a Q&A for booster doses now available for Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines. 

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