Medicaid is seeking new applicants to serve on its newly reimagined Medicaid Advisory Committee (MAC). Specifically, they are encouraging individuals who have experience with Medicaid as an advocate, community leader or direct service provider to apply.
Applications will be accepted until 5:00 pm on August 8. Visit the Online Application to learn more and apply. Questions can be directed to MDHHS-MAC@michigan.gov.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Board of Pharmacy reminded pharmacy technicians that effective August 4 pharmacy technician applications must be submitted via the MOPRO online licensing portal and that paper applications will no longer be available. MOPRO is the new licensure system for the Division of Professional Registration.
Also in Missouri, registration is open for the August 19 virtual Noon "Lunch with the Chief Inspector" update on pharmacy technicians.
Also in Missouri, the Health Department (MHD) launched a self-service feature on the Pharmacy and Medical Pre-Certification Helpdesk Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system for prior authorization (PA) requests for drugs. This enhancement allows pharmacies and providers to check the status of faxed drug PA requests instantly. To use this feature, providers will need their National Provider Identifier (NPI), the participant's MO HealthNet ID (DCN) and the date the request was faxed.
Finally in Missouri, the 2025 Pharmacy Practice Guide was recently updated.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
As a reminder, LB 118 (Statute 38-2866.01), increasing the pharmacist-to-pharmacy technician ratio to permit a pharmacist to supervise any combination of pharmacy technicians and pharmacist interns up to four people, is effective September 3. Also recall, for any pharmacist supervising four pharmacy technicians or pharmacist interns, at least one person must be a certified pharmacy technician.
Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the first round of Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) benefits, issued on April 23, 2025, will be expiring on August 23, 2025. Summer EBT funds can be used to purchase nutritious foods at grocery stores, online food retailers, and farmer's markets that accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) EBT.
Finally in Nebraska, the Board of Pharmacy published its draft minutes from the July 14 meeting. The next Board of Pharmacy meeting is scheduled for September 8.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The PEBA, the state agency responsible for the administration and management of the state’s retirement systems and employee insurance programs for the state’s public workforce, awarded the contract for pharmacy benefits management services to CVS Caremark. Beginning January 1, 2026, CVS Caremark will replace Express Scripts as the PBM for the State Health Plan. The initial contract term is two years with three one-year renewal options, for a maximum contract term of five years.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Effective August 1, TennCare will no longer enforce the five prescription limit per month on prescription drugs and refills for adult TennCare enrollees; however, the two brand prescription limit per month will remain in effect. Members may exceed the two brand monthly prescription limit by utilizing the products on the Auto-Exempt and Attestation List. As a reminder, the limit starts over at the first of each month. No changes will be made to the CoverRx and CoverKids programs. TennCare Pharmacy Updates are available online.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) issued guidance for the emergency dispensing of prescription medications as a result of flooding in the Texas Hill Country.
Also in Texas, the 30-day special legislative session entered its second week. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) and Speaker Dustin Burrows (R) announced the formation of House and Senate Select Committees on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding. These committees are holding hearings on improving flood warning systems, enhancing flood emergency communications, providing relief funding for the Hill Country Floods and preparing for and recovering from natural disasters. Additionally, Patrick and Burrows appointed 21 members to the newly established House and Senate Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting.
Finally in Texas, the Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) reminded licensed pharmacists and pharmacy technicians that they are required to complete an approved Human Trafficking Prevention course each renewal period. Please see the full list of newly approved courses on the Texas Health and Human Services webpage.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Health Care Cost Transparency Board analyzed healthcare spending from 2017 to 2023, using data from both public and commercial insurers in the All-Payer Claims Database. The analysis revealed that spending on retail pharmacies increased by 71 percent during this period, which is a significantly faster rate of growth compared to any other category of services. Rising prices were the primary driver of growth in spending on prescription drugs, with the number of prescriptions increasing by only three percent, compared to a 66 percent price increase. This study aligns with other studies that show that list prices set by manufacturers are the primary reason why costs are escalating.
Also in Washington, the Health Care Authority's (HCA) 2025-27 Operating Budget was reduced for Apple Health (Medicaid) managed care organization (MCO) rates by one percent, or approximately $90 million, for calendar year 2026. HCA provided guidance and FAQ on the managed care rate reductions effective January 1, 2026.
Also in Washington, the Health Care Authority (HCA) updated the substance use disorder (SUD) provider guide, clarifying state and federal laws that limit the use and disclosure of SUD information.
Finally in Washington, starting August 1, submitting eligibility policy questions and data requests for Eligibility Policy Innovation and Community Support (EPICS) is transitioning from the email inboxes to the ServiceNow platform, renamed to Apple Health Policy.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Medi-Cal Rx shared the following information for pharmacy providers. The US Food and Drug Administration has asked the four companies that have teriparatide products (FOREO by Lilly and generics by Prasco, Teva, and Apotex) to change the package size on the label of the products. Changing package size will affect claims billing while labels with both package sizes are in distribution. Note, the product NDCs were not changed to account for the change in package size. However, the reimbursement rate was updated to account for the reduction in package size from 2.4 ml to 2.24 ml.
The Department of Health Care Services would also like to request pharmacy providers update their POS systems to allow these claims to be submitted for 2.24 ml as this change took effect on March 29. Medi-Cal Rx also asks pharmacy providers to submit claims for 2.24 ml regardless of the package size displayed on the package. This will prevent overpayment. If the pharmacy POS system does not allow the claim to be submitted for 2.24 ml, please resubmit the claim and call Medi-Cal Rx Customer Service Center for assistance.
Also in California, the Department of Health Care Service posted the following alerts on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:
Finally in California, the Board of Pharmacy issued the following: NOTICE OF DECISION NOT TO PROCEED - Pursuant to Government Code section 11347
Re: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking concerning Quality Assurance Programs
Pursuant to Government Code Section 11347, the California Board of Pharmacy (Board) hereby gives notice that it has decided not to proceed with the rulemaking action published in the California Regulatory Notice Register on August 9, 2024, Register 2024, No. 32-Z. The proposed rulemaking concerned Quality Assurance Programs (OAL Notice Z2024-0725-02).
Any interested person with questions concerning this rulemaking should contact Lori Martinez at 916-244-6648 or by e-mail at: PharmacyRulemaking@dca.ca.gov.
The Board will also post this Notice of Decision Not to Proceed on its website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) is soliciting stakeholder input before August 30, regarding the draft Supervision Policy for Medicaid Billable Behavioral Health Services. Feedback can be provided either by attending a stakeholder meeting or providing written feedback using this Google Form.
Also in Colorado, the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) Board of Pharmacy is hosting a pharmacy stakeholder meeting on proposed rules on July 31 at 9:00 am MDT. Oral comments will be taken from webinar participants. Written comments need to be submitted as soon as possible so that they can be included in this stakeholder meeting.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
