Michael Silber, Author at In The States

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So far Michael Silber has created 2529 blog entries.

New York

The State Department of Health announced that effective July 1, several drug manufacturers voluntarily withdrew from participation in the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program (MDRP). The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), in compliance with Social Security Law Sec. 1927 [42 U.S.C. 1396r–8] (a), requires drug manufacturers to participate in the MDRP for their drugs to be eligible for coverage under the Medicaid program. Prescribers and pharmacies are encouraged to assist members with a therapeutically equivalent generic or to obtain a new prescription for an available alternative.

Also in New York, the Board of Pharmacy met on June 26. The agenda included a presentation by the Department of Health's Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement and a discussion of prescription transfers, shared pharmacy services regulations, Legislative matters and board meeting dates/locations.

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

Michael Silber2025-06-26T14:31:18-04:00June 26, 2025|New York|

North Carolina

The Department of Health and Human Services Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services (Commission) proposed to amend, via permanent procedures, Rule 10A NCAC 26E .0406, Disposal of Unused Controlled Substances from Nursing Home. The Commission also proposes adopting, via permanent procedures, Rule 10A NCAC 27G .3605, Medication Units and Mobile Units. Both proposed rules are available on the Commission for MH/DD/SAS Proposed Rules page.

The public comment period for both rules runs June 17 through August 15. Written comments on the proposed rule must be submitted electronically to dmhddsasrules@dhhs.nc.gov or mailed to W. Denise Baker, 3001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-3001.

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

Michael Silber2025-06-26T14:30:43-04:00June 26, 2025|North Carolina|

Ohio

The Budget Conference Committee approved an amended version of the state budget that will soon be on Gov. Mike DeWine’s (R) desk. Though NACDS worked strategically with members and partners to include a meaningful commercial pharmacy rate floor, the conference committee fell woefully short, fueled by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce’s claims that a rate floor would raise consumer premiums. The final language, which only applies to pharmacies incorporated in the state, sets the ingredient cost floor at either the amount a PBM pays its affiliates or actual acquisition cost (ACC); however, it does not include a dispensing fee rate floor. NACDS is analyzing the impact of the language and will seek member feedback on any next steps.

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

Michael Silber2025-06-26T14:30:12-04:00June 26, 2025|Ohio|

Oregon

The Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) has published its quarterly (June 25) newsletter. Articles including the following: PDAB selects 23 medications for review in 2025, Oregon PDAB conducts successful outreach effort on drugs under review, "What patients say about prescription drug costs", Oregon PDAB launches new drug data dashboard, PDAB member profile: Chris Laman, Board publishes generic drug report, "News you can use", Board, staff thank Robert Judge for his service to Oregon PDAB and Oregon Governor signed Senate Bill 289 into law.

Also in Oregon, Gov. Tina Kotek signed SB 289 making three housekeeping changes for the PDAB; it will take effect on January 1, 2026. The bill will change the PDAB's statutory language to "up to nine" drugs a year for review costs, giving the PDAB more flexibility to present the state legislature with an annual list of drugs that may cause affordability challenges based on statutory criteria. Additionally, the Department of Consumer and Business Services will provide the PDAB with a list of prescription drugs annually instead of quarterly. Finally, the bill removes the requirement that the PDAB prepares a separate generic drug report annually and, instead, includes generic drug information in the annual report the PDAB submits to the state legislature each December.

Finally in Oregon, the Oregon Health Authority and county public health officials are investigating a case of measles in an unvaccinated individual who recently returned to the state following international travel. This is the first confirmed case of 2025.

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

Michael Silber2025-06-26T14:29:43-04:00June 26, 2025|Oregon|

Texas

After signing 1,155 bills into law and vetoing 26 bills, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced that a 30-day special legislative session will convene on July 21. The Governor said that while the regular session saw substantial legislative success, additional work remains on six bills that he vetoed that regulated consumable hemp products, recording requirements for real estate documents, water project impact fees, protections for human trafficking victims, regulating cement kilns near semiconductor plants and judicial branch administration reforms.

Also in Texas, the Pharmaceutical Initiative Board (TPI) met on June 25.

Finally in Texas, Sen. Kelly Hancock (R) announced his candidacy for the State Comptroller's race next March soon after he was sworn in as chief clerk at the comptroller's office. Hancock's appointment as chief clerk to Comptroller Glenn Hegar (R) paves the way for him to become interim comptroller when Hegar leaves his office at the end of June to become the next Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System.

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

Michael Silber2025-06-26T14:29:08-04:00June 26, 2025|Texas|

Vermont

On June 23, Vermont Medicaid shared the following notice of help desk closure for the July 4 holiday:

Dear Vermont Medicaid Pharmacy Providers,

In observance of Independence Day, the Vermont Optum PA Helpdesk (formerly Change Healthcare) will be closed on July 4.

If you have an emergency, please contact our helpdesk using our standard after-hours number, 1-844-679-5362 or 1-844-679-5363. Your call will be returned within 15 minutes.

From all of us at Optum, please have a safe and enjoyable holiday.

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

Michael Silber2025-06-26T14:28:39-04:00June 26, 2025|Vermont|

Washington

Gov. Bob Ferguson (D) issued a joint statement with the California and Oregon governors to the US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. condemning the dismissal of the 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Also in Washington, Gov. Bob Ferguson (D) appointed Ryan Moran as the director of the Washington State Health Care Authority, effective August 18. Moran currently serves as Deputy Secretary for Health Care Financing and Medicaid Director for the Maryland Department of Health.

Also in Washington, the Health Care Authority announced that the Pharmacy Fax Server will be undergoing maintenance June 28 from 3:00 am-6:00 am and June 28 from 7:00 pm to 3:00 am on June 29. During these times, providers will not be able to submit faxes. Pharmacy Point of Sale (POS) system maintenance activity will impact pharmacy claims requiring SmartPA. If you receive claim exception code 4677 with NCPDP Reject Code 75 – 'Prior Auth Required' during the maintenance window, please resubmit impacted claims after the maintenance period.

Finally in Washington, due to the timing of the State Biennium End and the observance of Independence Day, payments to providers for the week of June 30, will be delayed and made the following week on July 8. Remittance Advices (RAs) and HIPAA 835 files will also be made available on July 8.

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

Michael Silber2025-06-26T14:28:05-04:00June 26, 2025|Washington|

Alabama

The Board of Pharmacy announced an immediate position available for Executive Secretary. The deadline for applications is June 15.

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

Michael Silber2025-06-12T12:30:13-04:00June 12, 2025|Alabama|

Alaska

The Legislature adjourned May 25.

Also in Alaska, the Board of Pharmacy is seeking input on a Just Culture survey. The results of this survey will be discussed by the board at the August 21 meeting.

Finally in Alaska, the Board of Pharmacy shared information about the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) reporting changes effective June 25. Refer to the AK Data Submission Dispenser Guide v3.1 via the PMP Clearinghouse portal for detailed instructions.

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

Michael Silber2025-06-12T12:29:39-04:00June 12, 2025|Alaska|