Michael Silber, Author at In The States

About Michael Silber

This author has not yet filled in any details.
So far Michael Silber has created 2747 blog entries.

Tennessee

TennCare is committed to ensuring that covered medications meet established standards for safety, efficacy, and regulatory approval. As part of this commitment, TennCare will reject claims for NDCs deemed non-FDA-approved. Effective September 1, 2026, pharmacy claims submitted for these products will be rejected at the point of sale with the following messaging: “Non-FDA-approved drug; Please try an alternative NDC.” Please visit the OptumRx-TennCare website regularly to stay up to date on changes to the pharmacy program.

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

Michael Silber2026-09-04T10:00:25-04:00September 4, 2026|Tennessee|

Texas

The House Select Committee on Health Care Affordability held a hearing this week with invited testimony only on ways to lower health care costs while maintaining access and quality. Discussions covered innovative delivery and financing models, flexible and affordable health plan design, and policies to help small and mid-sized employers offer more coverage. Lawmakers also explored ways to improve cost and quality transparency to help consumers make informed choices. The interim hearings guide future legislative recommendations to improve affordability, access, and sustainability in Texas healthcare.

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

Michael Silber2026-09-04T09:59:52-04:00September 4, 2026|Texas|

Alaska

A new state law improves healthcare access by letting qualified pharmacists offer more services within their expertise. AKPhA Executive Director Brandy Seignemartin, PharmD, told “Alaska Independent News” this law could transform care statewide. It allows pharmacists to treat common conditions and expands collaborative practice, making it easier for patients to get care from accessible healthcare professionals in their communities.

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

Michael Silber2026-08-28T12:06:50-04:00August 28, 2026|Alaska|

Florida

The Department of Health is proposing to remove four vaccines, hepatitis B, varicella, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and pneumococcal conjugate from immunization requirements for students attending public and private PreK-12 schools. The proposed rule, backed by Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, is subject to a 21-day public comment period that began August 24. The proposal would also broaden religious vaccine exemptions to include moral and ethical beliefs and allow parents and college students to opt out of having immunization records included in the state vaccine database. The four vaccines targeted by the rule are required under agency rules rather than state law, allowing the department to repeal the requirements without legislative action. Existing state law would continue to require vaccinations against diseases including measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), polio, diphtheria, rubeola and tetanus.

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

Michael Silber2026-08-28T12:06:23-04:00August 28, 2026|Florida|

Maryland

The Department of Health is seeking feedback as it explores adding food and nutrition services to Medicaid through In Lieu of Services and Settings (ILOS) authority beginning in 2028, including services such as medically tailored meals and produce prescriptions. The RFI is for planning only and will not result in contracts or grants. More information is available online. The effort builds on Maryland's Food is Medicine investments, including the Medically Tailored Meals initiative, Produce Prescription program, and Population Health Improvement Fund. Feedback is due by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, using the RFI form. Questions may be sent to mdh.ilosrfi@maryland.gov.

Also in Maryland, Delegate Bonnie Cullison (D) was appointed as the new chair of the Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board, effective August 7.

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

Michael Silber2026-08-28T12:05:50-04:00August 28, 2026|Maryland|

Michigan

Medicaid released the agenda which includes log on information for the Pharmacy Liaison Meeting scheduled for September 3 from 2:30 pm-4:30pm.

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

Michael Silber2026-08-28T12:05:16-04:00August 28, 2026|Michigan|

Mississippi

The Division of Medicaid (DOM) is conducting off-cycle provider revalidations in accordance with guidance from CMS. Providers who have not completed revalidation since April 22, 2025, will be required to complete an off-cycle revalidation to maintain compliance with federal enrollment requirements. To support efficient processing, revalidation notices will be issued in phases over the coming months. For an overview of the revalidation process, please review the Medicaid Provider Revalidation Roadmap. You can also find more information online.

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

Michael Silber2026-08-28T12:04:46-04:00August 28, 2026|Mississippi|

Missouri

Effective August 31, the MO HealthNet (Medicaid) Pharmacy Administration Helpdesk will update its hours of operation to Monday through Friday, 8:00 am-4:30 pm. Providers may email MHD.PharmacyAdmin@dss.mo.gov or call (573) 751-6963 for assistance with questions about the MO HealthNet Pharmacy Program, including claims adjudication, MORx inquiries, TPL coordination and pharmacy claims pricing issues.

Also in Missouri, MO HealthNet (Medicaid) completed the required annual review of all drug coverage criteria per 13 CSR 70-20.200 Drug Prior Authorization Process – Pharmacy Clinical Edits and Preferred Drug Lists.

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

Michael Silber2026-08-28T12:04:14-04:00August 28, 2026|Missouri|

Nevada

The Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda and meeting materials for the September 2 and 3 meeting in Reno.

Also in Nevada, the Board of Pharmacy is seeking public comments on a proposed rule establishing a $100 fee for both registration and biennial renewal for practitioners and others who dispense controlled substances. This fee is intended to support the integration of Nevada's Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) into pharmacy dispensing systems and electronic health records if current grant funding becomes unavailable. (Amendment to Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) 639.) Public comments may be submitted in advance to the Board at teambc@pharmacy.nv.gov.

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

Michael Silber2026-08-28T12:03:44-04:00August 28, 2026|Nevada|