About Michael Silber

This author has not yet filled in any details.
So far Michael Silber has created 1944 blog entries.

Massachusetts

MassHealth posted a bulletin that MassHealth will not pay for certain high-cost drugs if purchased through the 340B Drug Pricing Program. This change applies to claims for MassHealth members in Fee-for Service, the Primary Care Clinician (PCC) Plan and Primary Care Accountable Care Organizations. Providers serving MassHealth members enrolled in Accountable Care Partnership Plans (ACPPs), Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), One Care plans, Senior Care Organizations or the MassHealth behavioral health vendor should refer to Managed Care Entity Bulletin 7 for additional information regarding payment policies applicable to those plans.

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

2024-05-09T11:44:04-04:00May 9, 2024|Massachusetts|

Missouri

The Department of Social Services (DSS) MoHealthNet (Medicaid) issued a Provider Bulletin announcing that effective April 1, 2024, due to the decrease in the Missouri Pharmacy Reimbursement Allowance (Pharmacy Tax), the adjustment to account for the Medicaid-reimbursed prescriptions will be decreased. 

Also in Missouri, the Board of Pharmacy emailed Pharmacy Technician Renewals on March 1, 2024, but is concerned that many pharmacy technicians have not renewed. Email address and address changes can be submitted online, faxed to 573/526-3464 or e-mailed. If a name change is required, a copy of the driver’s license, marriage certificate or divorce decree is required. Be sure to include your name and license number on all correspondence to the Board. 

Finally in Missouri, with less than two weeks remaining in the regular session, SB 751, 340B legislation pharmacies support because it allows patients greater access to pharmacies and enhances enforcement provisions, passed the Senate by a vote of 28-3 and is pending further action in the House. 

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

2024-05-09T11:43:31-04:00May 9, 2024|Missouri|

Nevada

The Board of Pharmacy is holding a public hearing in Las Vegas on May 30.

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

2024-05-09T11:42:49-04:00May 9, 2024|Nevada|

New York

On April 17, 2024, NYRx, the New York State Medicaid Pharmacy Benefit Program, held its monthly call for pharmacy providers. On the agenda were long-acting injectable administration, COVID-19 anti-virials, self-administered hormonal contraceptives and Extencilline coverage. Questions and Additional Information: 

  • NYRx claim questions should be directed to the eMedNY Call Center at (800) 343-9000. 
  • NYRx Pharmacy coverage and policy questions should be directed to the NYS Medicaid Pharmacy Policy Unit by telephone at (518) 486-3209 or by email 

Billing guidelines for Long-Acting Injectable administration: 

Pharmacies will be reimbursed for the medication and an administration fee when billed to NYRx. The member will not have a copayment for drug administration. 

  • NYS legislation requires a patient specific prescription or order for administration. These orders must be kept on file at the pharmacy. 
  • If billing for both the drug and administration, these claims must be submitted separately. 
  • For the drug, the claim must be submitted using the ordering prescriber’s NPI in the Prescriber ID field. The pharmacy will be reimbursed for the medication when billed via National Drug Code (NDC) using reimbursement methodology. For the administration, the claim must be submitted using procedure code 96372, and the pharmacy’s NPI in the Prescriber ID field. A pharmacy will be reimbursed the administration fee of $13.36. 

New York State Medicaid has also notified pharmacies that in response to the ending of the COVID-19 public health emergency on May 11, 2023, effective May 13, 2024, a fiscal order is not required for the first two tests per month. Furthermore, pharmacy reimbursement and covered products available on the pharmacy formulary will be modified. Additional tests may be covered with a fiscal order, when medically necessary. Coverage will be provided for OTC FDA-authorized COVID-19 test kits used in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for antigen detection. This policy for coverage of at-home test kits via NYRx, the NYS Medicaid Pharmacy Program, will remain in effect until further notice. 

If a member needs more than two (2) tests per month, and all other resources were utilized, and the member has a fiscal order, the pharmacy may call the Pharmacy Policy unit at 518-486-3209 for a review of medical necessity. 

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

2024-05-09T11:42:14-04:00May 9, 2024|New York|

South Carolina

Effective July 1, 2024, the South Carolina Department of Health, and Human Services (SCDHHS) will implement a single, state-directed pharmacy benefit preferred drug list (PDL) for all providers enrolled in the Healthy Connections Medicaid program. SCDHHS currently operates a PDL exclusively for Medicaid members who are enrolled in the fee-for-service (FFS) Medicaid program, while each managed care organization (MCO) maintains and operates its own independent PDL. 

The single PDL that will become effective July 1, 2024, will be based on SCDHHS’ current FFS PDL, which is available on the pharmacy section of SCDHHS’ website. A list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) is also available on pharmacy section of SCDHHS’ website. SCDHHS will host two live provider training sessions via online seminar on May 22 from 7:30 am-9:00 am and from 12:30 pm-2:00 pm. Registration information for the provider training webinars, updates to the FAQs and other provider training resources will be announced via a provider bulletin. Providers should email any questions related to this bulletin to SCDHHS’ Office of Pharmacy Services. 

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

2024-05-09T11:40:14-04:00May 9, 2024|South Carolina|

Tennessee

TennCare distributed an updated Preferred Drug List (PDL) effective May 1. Subscribe to the TennCare Pharmacy Updates newsletter to receive updates directly from TennCare. 

Also in Tennessee, on May 1, Gov. Bill Lee (R) signed SB 869/HB 282 into law. This legislation, which takes effect immediately, will improve efficiencies in the health care system by providing pharmacists with independent prescriptive authority for various medication classes and disease states. The Tennessee Pharmacy Association is developing additional resources and education to assist pharmacists that want to implement this law into their practice settings. 

Finally in Tennessee, the Department of Health will host three free in-person sessions for its Injectable Drug Diversion Workshop for pharmacists at the following times and locations: June 20 in Nashville, July 12 in Jackson, and July 22 in Knoxville. Learn more and RSVP! 

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

2024-05-09T11:39:32-04:00May 9, 2024|Tennessee|

Texas

The Health and Human Service Commission’s (HHSC) Vendor Drug Program (VDP) extended the comment period for the annual prescriber survey for the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) to May 14. 

Also in Texas, the Vendor Drug Program (VDP) posted information for pharmacies on the following three topics:  

 Also in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) touted that according to the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Texas economy continues to grow faster than the nation as a whole. In the fourth quarter of 2023, the real gross domestic product (GDP) for Texas grew at an annual rate of 5.0%. Texas added 270,700 jobs from March 2023 to March 2024, the most in the nation. 

Also in Texas, House Speaker Dade Phelan (R) established the House Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, a new committee chaired by State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R). At the April 29 hearing, several AI (Artificial Intelligence) experts presented an overview of what is and is not considered AI. Lawmakers expressed concerns regarding data privacy and the spread of disinformation. Testimony from law enforcement highlighted how AI was helping fight the proliferation of child pornography and human trafficking.  

Also in Texas, pharmacies and other stakeholders can request expedited formulary coverage, an expedited preferred drug list change or notify HHSC (Health and Human Services Commission) about potential drug shortages impacting prescribing choice and pharmacy claim processing by using the Drug Shortage Notification and Expedited Formulary or Preferred Drug List Request (HHS Form 1315). 

Also in Texas, the Vendor Drug Program (VDP) posted the Pharmacy Provider Procedure Manual to learn more information about the following topics: 

  • 72-hour emergency overrides for prior authorization-required drugs 
  • Medicaid managed care pharmacy claims billing information 
  • Enrolling in the Medicaid Comprehensive Care Program 
  • Enrolling as a durable medical equipment pharmacy provider 
  • Eligibility verification tools 

Finally in Texas, the Vendor Drug Program (VDP) is offering free pharmacy continuing education courses available for credit: 

Refer to the Outreach and Education Resources for links to downloadable materials.

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

2024-05-09T11:38:36-04:00May 9, 2024|Texas|
Go to Top