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So far Michael Silber has created 1944 blog entries.

Michigan

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) released the presentation from the June Medicaid Pharmacy Liaison Meeting. The slides include information on performing MTM (Medication Therapy Management) for HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) treatment and COVID extensions that will end on September 30, 2024.

Also in Michigan, the Board of Pharmacy has posted the minutes from the June 4 regulation workgroup meeting.

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

2024-06-13T14:42:20-04:00June 13, 2024|Michigan|

Minnesota

Several years of ongoing advocacy on priority issues resulted in a remarkably successful 2024 Legislative Session for pharmacy. At the end of session, Gov. Tim Walz (D) signed Chapter 127 into law. The law includes the following reimbursement and scope of practice advances: 1) expanded pharmacy immunization authority to align more closely with the PREP (Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness) Act by allowing pharmacists and technicians to immunize children for flu and COVID at age 3 years and all ACIP at age six years; 2) mandates that commercial insurers cover pharmacy-based services 3) increases the Medicaid FFS (Fee-for-Service) Dispensing Fee from $10.77 to $11.55 4) clarifies the definition of U&C (usual & customary) to exclude discount card programs; and 5) authorizes pharmacists to test for and administer PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and PeP (post-exposure prophylaxis) medications. NACDS has worked diligently during the last four session cycles with in-state partners and members to achieve these goals.

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

2024-06-13T14:41:46-04:00June 13, 2024|Minnesota|

New Mexico

To increase access to over-the-counter (OTC) emergency contraception, the OTC progestin-only birth control pill and OTC home pregnancy tests, the Department of Health’s standing order allows Medicaid patients to access these OTC items from the pharmacy and covers these items at pharmacies.

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

2024-06-13T14:39:19-04:00June 13, 2024|New Mexico|

Ohio

2024-06-13T14:38:44-04:00June 13, 2024|Ohio|

Oklahoma

The Health Care Authority (OHCA) provided public notice of a proposed change in methods and standards for setting payment rates for services in the SoonerCare (Medicaid) program. Contingent upon CMS’ approval, effective July 1, 2024, the OHCA will reimburse pharmacists at a rate equal to other providers when providing services within their scope of practice. Vaccine administration is the only claimable service determined to be within the scope of practice of pharmacists at this time. The state plan amendment (SPA) establishes that services provided by pharmacists will be reimbursed in accordance with the reimbursement methodology currently established for physician services.

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

2024-06-13T14:37:50-04:00June 13, 2024|Oklahoma|

Pennsylvania

Last week, the House of Representatives’ Children and Youth Committee advanced HB 2037, which would expand pharmacy’s ability to immunize children. The bill would allow pharmacists to administer ACIP vaccines to kids aged 5 years and older and allow pharmacy technicians to immunize children aged 8 years and older for flu and COVID. NACDS has been actively engaged in advocacy on the bill. The bill is now eligible for a vote by the full Senate.

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

2024-06-13T14:37:23-04:00June 13, 2024|Pennsylvania|

South Carolina

Effective for dates of service on or after August 1, 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) will require prior authorization (PA) for the physician-administered drugs in the document linked below to ensure use is consistent with the medication’s indication(s) and appropriate clinical guidelines. This change only applies to medications administered to Healthy Connections Medicaid members enrolled in the fee-for-service (FFS) Medicaid program.

The list of physician-administered drugs for which a PA is required when administered to a FFS Medicaid member is available in the Procedure Codes section of the Physicians Services provider manual on the SCDHHS website. The list in the manual will be updated with the additional physician-administered drugs requiring a PA beginning August 1, 2024. The list of additional drugs is available online.

Requests for PA and questions about this bulletin should be submitted to Magellan Rx Management at https://MRxGateway.com or by calling 1-800-424-8219 between 8:00 am-5:00 pm Monday-Friday.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

2024-06-13T14:36:22-04:00June 13, 2024|South Carolina|

Tennessee

Prior authorization requirements can be bypassed for certain medications when specific medical conditions exist. The submitted claim should include a Diagnosis Code Qualifier (Field # 492- WE) of “02,” indicating ICD-10, as well as the appropriate Diagnosis Code (Field # 424-DO). See the lists of the preferred agents and the clinical criteria and see the list of Tennessee OptumRx Provider Liaisons.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

2024-06-13T14:35:31-04:00June 13, 2024|Tennessee|
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