Michael Silber, Author at In The States

Wisconsin

This week Governor Tony Evers (D) signed into law three pro-pharmacy bills. In specific the three bills are the Pharmacist Provider Status – providing pharmacist’s reimbursement for any clinical care services covered under the Medicaid program (SB 255), Pharmacy Technician Registration- establishing the registration of pharmacy technicians (SB 300) and Remote Dispensing Sites (SB 308) which licenses these sites and provides more flexibilities for remote supervision of site pharmacists. These laws will be in effect as the supporting regulations are finalized in 2022.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

Michael Silber2021-12-10T11:58:48-05:00December 10, 2021|Wisconsin|

Arkansas

The Division of Medical Services is holding a virtual rulemaking hearing on October 20th to consider proposed rules to allow six refills per month, add certain medications that do not count toward the monthly prescription cap, and allow up to nine medically necessary prescriptions per month for Living Choices Assisted Living Program clients. The rule also would specify that clients must pay for their own medications beyond the maximum benefit, remove the extension of benefits provisions, and revise refill requirements.

Also in Arkansas, Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) announced on November 15th that individuals over 18 are eligible for the booster shot.

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

Michael Silber2021-11-19T12:15:27-05:00November 19, 2021|Arkansas|

California

The following documents were recently posted on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal: 

45-day Pharmacy Provider Notice – Note: Magellan Medicaid Administration, Inc. encourages pharmacies to submit test transactions prior to the transition, effective January 1, 20221, and is offering a testing window October 11 through November 30.
User Administration Console (UAC) Registration and Sign-In Troubleshooting

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

Michael Silber2021-11-19T12:14:49-05:00November 19, 2021|California|

Colorado

On October 31st, Gov. Jared Polis (D) issued an Executive Order directing vaccine providers such as retail pharmacies, including those that operate under the fed retail pharmacy vaccine program, to drop existing CDC parameters around boosts eligibility, allowing all access to booster shots.

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

Michael Silber2021-11-19T12:14:10-05:00November 19, 2021|Colorado|

Illinois

The Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted Updated Medicaid Preferred Drug Lists.

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

Michael Silber2021-11-19T12:13:39-05:00November 19, 2021|Illinois|

Louisiana

The Department of Health (LDH) LDH recommends COVID-19 booster shots for all fully vaccinated Louisianans ages 18 and older.

Also in Louisiana, longtime Board of Pharmacy president Carl Aron, an independent pharmacist from Monroe, announced his retirement at the November 17th meeting. The Board elected Marty McKay as president.

Finally in Louisiana, the Department of Health (LDH) announced a billing update for COVID-19 vaccines for 5-11 years old, third dose and booster shots.

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

Michael Silber2021-11-19T12:13:00-05:00November 19, 2021|Louisiana|

Mississippi

The Division of Medicaid (DOM) is ending coverage of the Temporary Telehealth Procedure Codes effective Friday, Nov. 20, 2021, which aligns with the end of Mississippi’s COVID-19 State of Emergency.

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

Michael Silber2021-11-19T12:12:24-05:00November 19, 2021|Mississippi|

New Jersey

Governor Phil Murphy (D) signed into law A-1259 / S-249 which requires pharmacy benefits managers providing services within the Medicaid program to disclose certain information to the Department of Human Services. Program to require the pharmacy benefits manager to disclose to the department: (1) all sources and amounts of income, payments, and financial benefits received by the pharmacy benefits manager in relation to the provision and administration of pharmacy benefits management services on behalf of the managed care organization, including, but not limited to, any pricing discounts, rebates of any kind, inflationary payments, credits, clawbacks, fees, grants, chargebacks, reimbursements, or other benefits; (2) all ingredient costs and dispensing fees or similar payments made by the pharmacy benefits manager to any pharmacy in connection with the contract or other arrangement; and (3) the pharmacy benefits manager’s payment model for administrative fees.  Information reported by pharmacy benefits managers under the bill will be confidential and will not be subject to disclosure under the “Open Public Records Act.”

This law goes into effect immediately.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

Michael Silber2021-11-19T12:11:36-05:00November 19, 2021|New Jersey|

Ohio

The Ohio Department of Medicaid’s (ODM) next generation managed care program will go live July 1, 2022. At that time, they will introduce new programs, services, and managed care entities (MCEs). In preparation for the next generation program, ODM is encouraging providers to contact the next generation MCEs that they are interested in contracting with to begin the process to join their provider networks. Provider contracting contact information for the next generation MCEs can be found on the Resources for Providers webpage of the next generation Ohio Medicaid website. Contracting must be completed by February 15, 2022, to be included in the Next Generation Managed Care Provider Directory on day 1 of member transition enrollment. 

Also in Ohio, ODM has announced that the supplemental tiered dispensing fee quarterly payment to pharmacies that planned to be disbursed in the first two weeks of November has been delayed pending CMS approval. NACDS will keep members updated as new information becomes available.

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

Michael Silber2021-11-19T12:10:43-05:00November 19, 2021|Ohio|

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