Colorado
CO24-209, practice act expansion, passed both houses and was sent to Gov. Jared Polis (D) to sign into law.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Iowa
The Department of Health and Human Services, Iowa Medicaid posted INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO. 2589-MC-FFS-D “Discover IA SAIL: Planning for and Addressing Aging Issues Across the Lifespan”.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Louisiana
HB 579, the PEP/PrEP bill supported by pharmacies, passed both houses and will soon be sent to Gov. Jeff Landry (R) to be signed into law. The Legislature is scheduled to adjourn by 6:00 pm on June 3.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Massachusetts
On May 23, the Senate passed its version of the Fiscal Year 2025 budget. The budget bill will now advance to a legislative conference to work out differences before the end of the fiscal year, June 30, 2024. The relevant issue to pharmacies is language included in the House, but not in the Senate, that would authorize a registered pharmacist to administer a prescription for testosterone for gender-affirming care and for the treatment and prevention of sexually transmitted infections including the prevention of HIV infections. The administration of these therapies shall be in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Department of Public Health in consultation with the Board of Pharmacy and the Department of Mental Health. This proposed change amends the current law which authorizes pharmacists to administer drugs for the treatment of mental health and substance abuse disorders. NACDS will continue to monitor the budget process.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Mississippi
On July 1, the Division of Medicaid (DOM) will implement a single Pharmacy Benefit Administrator (PBA) to streamline and enhance the processing and management of pharmacy claims for all Medicaid members, including those enrolled in MississippiCAN. Operated by Gainwell Technologies, the PBA will also assume all pharmacy prior authorization responsibilities for drugs submitted on pharmacy claims. DOM will continue to require the use of the Universal Preferred Drug List (PDL). This decision comes after careful consideration and evaluation of various factors aimed at enhancing efficiency and transparency in the Medicaid delivery system. Medicaid members should notice no disruption in their care if providers are prepared for this change.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Montana
On June 17, the Department of Public Health and Human Services will hold a public hearing via remote conferencing to consider proposed amendments to Medicaid and non-Medicaid provider rates, fee schedules and effective dates. For pharmacy providers, the following are proposed changes to outpatient drugs reimbursement for both dispensing fees and vaccine administration fees.
(f) The outpatient drugs reimbursement dispensing fees range as provided in ARM 37.86.1105(3)(b) is effective July 1, 2023 July 1, 2024:
(i) for pharmacies with prescription volume between 0 and 39,999, the minimum is $5.11 $5.28, and the maximum is $16.36 $17.01;
(ii) for pharmacies with prescription volume between 40,000 and 69,999, the minimum is $5.11 $5.28, and the maximum is $14.16 $14.73; or
(iii) for pharmacies with prescription volume greater than or equal to 70,000, the minimum is $5.11 $5.28, and the maximum is $11.98 $12.46.
(g) remains the same.
(h) The outpatient drugs reimbursement vaccine administration fee, as provided in ARM 37.86.1105(6), will be $21.32 for the first vaccine and $18.65 $15.53 for each additional vaccine administered on the same date of service, effective July 1, 2023 July 1, 2024.
Concerned persons may submit their data, views or arguments either orally or in writing at the hearing. Written data, views or arguments may also be submitted to: Bailey Yuhas, Department of Public Health and Human Services, Office of Legal Affairs, P.O. Box 4210, Helena, Montana, 59604-4210; fax (406) 444-9744; or e-mail hhsadminrules@mt.gov, and must be received no later than 5:00 pm on June 21.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Nevada
The Board of Pharmacy held a Workshop meeting this week on proposed draft rules establishing minimum staffing requirements. The Retail Association of Nevada (RAN) and our chain members’ comments emphasized that pharmacies should be able to determine the optimal number of pharmacists and technicians to use in their practice setting. We shared data that the number of prescriptions continues to grow coupled with the continued pharmacist shortage and that the Board should focus on solutions that enhance patient access to pharmacies by adopting rules expanding use of pharmacy technicians and technology. After hearing the testimony, the Board voted in favor of pursuing rulemaking.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
New York
NYRx, the Medicaid Pharmacy Benefit Program, announced updates to the Preferred Drug List. These changes were effective May 29.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Oklahoma
SB 232, legislation that will allow pharmacists to screen and treat for minor ailments and other conditions, dispense hormonal contraceptives without a prescription and increase the pharmacy technician ratio from two to three, was sent to a House/Senate conference committee on May 28 to work out the differences. The Legislature is scheduled to adjourn its regular session by 5:00 pm on May 31.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.