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So far Michael Silber has created 2568 blog entries.

Nebraska

The Department of Health and Human Services announced CMS approved state Plan amendment 25-0010: Recovery Audit Contractor, waiving the requirement to implement a Recovery Audit Contractor for an additional two years effective December 1, 2025, through November 30, 2027. Neb Rev Stat 68-974(3)(a) excludes Managed Care claims from the scope of the Recovery Audit Contractor. Recall, the state implemented Heritage Health, combining physical health, behavioral health and pharmacy programs into a single managed care system, effective January 1, 2017. 

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

2025-09-26T10:45:58-04:00September 26, 2025|Nebraska|

Nevada

After three hours of discussion and debate at the September 4 workshop meeting over the latest draft regulation on pharmacy staffing, the board of pharmacy direct staff to redraft the language for a workshop meeting in Las Vegas on October 16. NACDS will continue to engage on this issue.  

Also in Nevada, NACDS submitted the state survey on the Rural Health Transformation Program funds. 

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

2025-09-26T10:45:28-04:00September 26, 2025|Nevada|

New Mexico

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) called lawmakers into a special session starting on October 1 consider a package of measures, including:  

  • Funding the Rural Health Care Delivery Fund to allow stabilization grants for quality health care providers. 
  • Taking action to make health insurance premiums more affordable in the marketplace and for New Mexicans losing Medicaid coverage. 
  • New investments in food assistance for children, senior citizens and families in need. 
  • Additional resources to help the Health Care Authority prepare for upcoming Medicaid enrollment changes. 

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

2025-09-26T10:44:52-04:00September 26, 2025|New Mexico|

New York

The state's Department of Health updated its Preferred Drug List, effective September 15.  

The NYRx Education and Outreach team shared an update to the NYRx Brand Less Than Generic Program Update effective October 1.  

  • Arnuity Ellipta® and Exelon® patches will be ADDED to the program.  
  • Apriso®, CellCept® suspension, Retin-A® cream, and Targretin® gel will be REMOVED from the program.  

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.

2025-09-26T10:44:18-04:00September 26, 2025|New York|

North Carolina

The latest Medicaid Pharmacy Newsletter, dated September 2025, is now available on the NC Medicaid website. In addition to the October 2025 checkwriter schedule, this edition of the newsletter includes the following articles:  

  • NC Medicaid to Change Coverage for GLP-1 Weight Management Medications  
  • Mailing and Delivery Fees to Retail Pharmacy Claims  
  • Reminder: Immunizing Pharmacist Enrollment in NC Medicaid Contraceptives and NRT [Nicotine Replacement Therapy] Protocol Reimbursement to Pharmacies  
  • Reminder on NC Medicaid Pharmacy Co-payment Requirements  
  • Children and Families Specialty Plan (CFSP) to launch December 1, 2025  

  

Providers are encouraged to review this important information. The 2025 Medicaid Pharmacy Newsletters can be viewed online 

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

2025-09-26T10:43:28-04:00September 26, 2025|North Carolina|

North Dakota

Medicaid issued the following updates: 

 

  • Dulera is experiencing manufacturing delays. Due to sporadic backorders expected through October:  
  • The PA requirement for Advair Diskus and Advair HFA will be delayed at this time. Members may continue or switch to Advair Diskus or Advair HFA if Dulera is unavailable. 
  • The Dulera 200 mcg/5 mcg quantity limit allows one inhaler to be billed as a 60 days supply. 
  • Asmanex HFA will be allowed concurrently with Dulera 50 mcg/5 mcg. You will need to contact us to request an override for this option. 

 

  • Effective October 1: Dulera will be the only ICS/LABA inhaler that does not require PA. 
  • Advair HFA and Advair Diskus will be non-preferred status and require PA. 
  • All other ICS/LABA inhalers remain non-preferred status and require PA. 
  • Please work with prescribers to transition patients now to avoid treatment disruption. 

Dulera contains formoterol and can be used for single-inhaler maintenance-and-reliever therapy (SMART) as recommended in asthma guidelines. ND Medicaid allows up to two Dulera inhalers per 30-day supply for SMART use. 

 

  • Effective October 1: Steqeyma no longer requires PA. 
  • Selarsdi and Yesintek remain Step 1 non-preferred status and require PA. 
  • Stelara and other ustekinumab biosimilars remain Step 2 non-preferred status and require PA. 

 

  • Effective October 1: Ozempic and Rybelsus will be preferred status and will not require PA.  
  • Victoza (brand) and liraglutide labeler 00480 remain preferred status and do not require PA. 
  • Liraglutide labelers 00143 and 71288 will be non-preferred status and require PA. 
  • Trulicity remains non-preferred status and requires PA. 

 

  • Effective October 1: Clonidine patches will require PA for members 10 years and older.  
  • Electronic age verification occurs during adjudication at the point of sale. 
  • See Non-Solid Dosage Forms criteria. 

 

  • Effective October 1: The manufacturer of Xifaxan and Trulance will cease participation in the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program (MDRP).  
  • Xifaxan and Trulance will no longer be eligible for coverage by ND Medicaid. 

ND Medicaid cannot pay for a drug when the manufacturer does not participate in the MDRP due to federal law, Sec.1927. [42. U.S.C. 1396r-8] (a) 

  • Manufacturers choose whether they will sign up for the MDRP. 
  • Manufacturer participation is outside of ND Medicaid's control. 

An alternative, participating manufacturer's product or different drug that is covered must be used for Medicaid to be able to pay. 

 

For more information, contact LeNeika Roehrich, PharmD, BCGP. 

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

2025-09-26T10:42:44-04:00September 26, 2025|North Dakota|

Oklahoma

On September 9, the Attorney General Gentner Drummond (R) announced a $32.1 million settlement with CVS Caremark, a PBM for the state's HealthChoice plan. The settlement resolves allegations that CVS Caremark withheld millions of dollars in drug rebates intended to reduce healthcare costs for state employees between January 2020 and December 2024. Approximately $27 million, after attorney fees, will be returned to HealthChoice within 30 days to benefit state employees, retirees and their families. The agreement also mandates quarterly rebate reporting, prompt rebate remittance and expanded definitions to ensure transparency and accountability.  

Also in Oklahoma, NACDS submitted the state survey on the Rural Health Transformation Program funds. 

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

2025-09-26T10:41:33-04:00September 26, 2025|Oklahoma|

Oregon

The West Coast Health Alliance, comprised of California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington, jointly announced Consensus 2025-26 Respiratory Virus Immunization Recommendations for COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines. The recommendations state that immunization is safe and effective, and it offers the best protection available against respiratory viruses. The recommendations also endorse broad access to the COVID-19 vaccine for anyone who chooses protection.  

Also in Oregon, at the Board of Pharmacy Special Meeting on September 17, the board adopted the following Temporary Rules and Vaccination Protocols:   

September 17 Temporary Rule Noticed  

  • REPEALED – Standard Vaccination Protocol for Persons 3 through 6 Years of Age & Assessment and Treatment Care Pathway  
  • REPEALED – Standard Vaccination Protocol for Persons 6 Months through 2 Years of Age & Assessment and Treatment Care Pathway  

Email all rulemaking related inquiries to pharmacy.rulemaking@bop.oregon.gov.  

Also in Oregon, the Division of Financial Regulation issued Bulletin No. DFR 2025-6 regarding coverage of the COVID-19 vaccination. This bulletin clarifies the division's expectations around the coverage of COVID-19 vaccination by health benefit plans in the state in accordance with Bulletin No. DFR 2021-1. For more information, please visit the FAQs about COVID-19 vaccine insurance coverage requirements related to the West Coast Health Alliance.  

 

Finally in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy posted its agenda and meeting materials for the October 8-10 meeting. Please note on October 8 the board will meet in Executive Session for most of the day and anticipates resuming Open Session around 4:30 pm and on October 9 the board anticipates meeting in Executive Session after roll call and resuming Open Session at 1:00 pm. The board anticipates meeting in Open Session on October 10 and will break for lunch between 12:00 noon-1:00 pm. Please be advised that additional meeting materials may be added to the agenda prior to the board meeting. Visit the board website for current meeting materials.  

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

2025-09-26T10:41:03-04:00September 26, 2025|Oregon|

South Carolina

The Board of Medical Examiners has approved revisions to the SC Protocol for Administration of Vaccines by Pharmacists effective September 17. These changes follow recommendations from the Joint Pharmacist Administered Vaccines Committee on September 15.  

Key Update:  

Pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and eligible pharmacy technicians are now authorized to administer FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines without a licensed practitioner's order, provided administration follows recommendations from one of the following:  

  • ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices)  
  • AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics)  
  • AAFP (American Academy of Family Physicians) or  
  • ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists)  

Important Reminders:  

  • Age restrictions still apply. As outlined in Appendix J, pharmacists may only administer FDA-approved or EUA COVID-19 vaccines to individuals 16 years of age and older, in accordance with guidelines from the groups above.  
  • All pharmacies must have a printed copy of the most current protocol in the area where vaccines are administered.  

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

2025-09-26T10:40:07-04:00September 26, 2025|South Carolina|
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