The state legislature released the Final Report of the Committee to Study the Impact of Pharmacy Benefit Manager Operations on Cost, Administration and Distribution of Prescription Drugs. The report recommends PBM legislation for 2025 that addresses improvements to the state’s pricing and appeals processes laws.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
The Department of Medicaid announced the selection of four managed care plans they will contract with for the “Next Generation of MyCare,” Medicaid’s dual eligible healthcare program. The new plan contracts will begin January 1, 2026.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) posted an agenda and meeting materials for its November 20, 2024, meeting. Please note the “Board discussion and approval of SB 192 upper payment limit final report to send to the Oregon Legislature”. You must register in advance to participate.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Department of Health issued a buprenorphine guidance document, which focuses on reducing barriers to accessing Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD). The document includes a frequently asked questions section that addresses inquiries from prescribers and pharmacists about MOUD. It also offers insights on enforcement practices, buprenorphine prescribing, continuity of care and telehealth prescriptions. All questions can be directed to RA-DHRESOURCESERVICE@pa.gov.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Board of Pharmacy has approved the updated protocol for Administration of Vaccines by pharmacists. These updates reflect changes made through HB 3988 enacted during the legislative session, which includes the ability for pharmacy technicians to administer vaccines.
Also in South Carolina, the Board of Pharmacy is accepting nominations for Board Members from the Fifth and Seventh Congressional Districts. The fifth district is made up largely of Cherokee, York, Chester, Union, Fairfield, Lancaster, Kershaw, Lee and Sumter counties. The Seventh District is primarily made up of Chesterfield, Marlboro, Darlington, Florence, Marion, Dillon, Horry and Georgetown counties. For more information or to submit a nomination, email contact.pharmacy@llr.sc.gov. The Deadline to apply is November 30, 2024.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
In accordance with the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, Division of Insurance Rule 0780-01-95-.10(1)(b) and 0780-01-95-.10(2)(b), the deadline to submit an attestation of low-volume status and proof of actual prescription volume to your contracted PBMs is December 1, 2024. Volume status is based on your pharmacy’s actual prescription volume from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
While the 89th legislature will convene at Noon on January 14, 2025, lawmakers have already begun prefiling bills this week. Several bills of interest to pharmacies include:
Also in Texas, the House Republican Caucus is scheduled to meet December 7, 2024, to endorse a candidate for Speaker.
Also in Texas, the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Diabetes Prevention and Control Program updated materials, including two diabetes educational brochures — Could You Have Diabetes? and Could You Have Prediabetes? These brochures provide information regarding diabetes and prediabetes risk factors and symptoms, helping individuals determine their risk.
Finally in Texas, at the Drug Utilization Review Board’s late October meeting, the board recommended clinical prior authorizations, changes to the preferred drug list and retrospective drug utilization criteria. The next quarterly meeting will be held on January 31, 2025.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Democrats won all nine executive offices and gained additional seats within the state Legislature. Bob Ferguson (D) will serve as the next governor of Washington state, replacing termed-out Gov. Jay Inslee (D). A friend of pharmacy State Senator Patty Kuderer (D) was elected to become the next state Insurance Commissioner.
Also in Washington, the Department of Health (DOH) Office of Immunizations is hosting a webinar on November 21, 2024, featuring Dr. Eva Meekins, a nurse educator with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to discuss the current vaccine recommendations and strategies to prevent common vaccine administration errors.
Finally in Washington, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, state offices will be closed on November 28 and 29, 2024. Provider payments for the week of November 25, 2024, will be made on November 27, 2024. Claim submission deadlines have been moved up to ensure that providers can receive payment and Remittance Advice (RA) documents on November 27, 2024. The deadline for submission of claims to ProviderOne for payment during the week of Thanksgiving will be November 24, 2024, by 5:00 pm. The deadline for submission of pharmacy claims to the Point of Sale (POS) during the week of Thanksgiving will be November 23, 2024, by 5:00 pm.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Department of Health Services released a campaign to encourage residents to get vaccinated, e.g., flu, COVID and RSV. To find and schedule a vaccine, Wisconsin residents are encouraged to check with their primary care provider, local or Tribal health department, community clinic or visit vaccines.gov. Wisconsinites can also call 211 or 877-947-2211 for help scheduling a vaccine appointment. If they do not have health insurance, or their health insurance does not cover vaccines, there are programs that can help, including the Vaccines for Children program and Vaccines for Adults program.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.