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So far Michael Silber has created 2507 blog entries.

Kansas

SB 360, the Consumer Prescription Protection and Accountability Act, a PBM reform bill that gives the Department of Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt, a pharmacist, more enforcement tools on audits, spread pricing and patent choice of pharmacy, was heard in the Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee on January 28 and 29. NACDS submitted a statement of support. 

Also in Kansas, at the January 29 hearing in the House Health and Human Services Committee, NACDS was on the record in support of HB 2157, which would expand pharmacists' scope of practice to test and treat for COVID-19. 

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

2026-01-30T11:01:34-05:00January 30, 2026|Kansas|

Kentucky

Medicaid issued a bulletin extending the effective date for the Managed Care Organization (MCO) Over-the-Counter (OTC) coverage change to February 15. At that time, the Department for Medicaid Services (DMS) will end coverage for OTC drugs that are non-Medicaid rebateable. The effective date has been extended to ensure providers have adequate time to prepare for this change. 

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

2026-01-30T11:00:53-05:00January 30, 2026|Kentucky|

Louisiana

The Board of Pharmacy's Regulation Revision Committee posted the agenda for the February 3 meeting in Baton Rouge. 

Also in Louisiana, Julie Foster Hagan, Executive Director of the state's Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability Project, presented the program's mission, objectives, strategy and timeline at the Department of Health's annual shareholders meeting on January 21. Louisiana secured $208.4 million in federal funding for Year 1 of the Rural Health Transformation Grant—one of the nation's largest awards—and is expected to receive $1.4 billion over five years. 

Also in Louisiana, the Department of Health (LDH) extended its Medicaid managed care contract with UnitedHealthcare (UHC) for 90 days through March 31.  

Also in Louisiana, Gov. Jeff Landry (R) declared a State of Emergency ahead of the January winter storm. Medicaid posted a provider notice on early refills:  

  • The early refill edit will be bypassed for pharmacy claims submitted to fee-for-service (FFS) and the managed care organizations (MCOs) in all parishes statewide through February 6. 
  • All expiring prior authorizations for pharmacy claims for FFS and the MCOs will also be extended through February 6. 

Finally In Louisiana, LDH appointed Seth Gold as Medicaid Director. His prior experience includes nearly a decade of experience in federal health policy serving on the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee. 

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

2026-01-30T11:00:06-05:00January 30, 2026|Louisiana|

Michigan

Medicaid issued Bulletin MMP 26-02 on January 23 that updates the Fee-for-Service Prior Authorization Process, excluding drug claims. 

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

2026-01-30T10:59:05-05:00January 30, 2026|Michigan|

Missouri

SB 878, legislation expanding the pharmacists scope of practice filed by Sen. Travis Fitzwater (R), was heard in the Senate Families, Seniors and Health Committee on January 14. Current law allows certain pharmacists to provide certain medication therapy services under a statewide order issued by the Director or the Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Health and Senior Services. The bill would eliminate the standing order and authorize pharmacists' medication therapy services pursuant to rules established by the Board of Pharmacy and the State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts. These jointly promulgated rules to implement this provision will take place within six months of the effective date of this act. In addition, it would allow pharmacists to prescribe durable medical equipment. 

Also in Missouri, in advance of the Senate Families, Seniors and Health Committee hearing on January 21, NACDS submitted a statement in support of SB 968, a PBM reform bill that includes key provisions for pharmacies: 

  • Requires fair and transparent PBM reimbursement to pharmacies, covering both drug acquisition and dispensing costs. 
  • Protects patient choice by prohibiting PBM steering and ensuring access to local pharmacies, especially for vulnerable populations. 
  • Sets a minimum dispensing fee at 90% of the Missouri HealthNet rate. 
  • Strengthens MAC price appeal rights for pharmacies, including a longer appeal window and better access to alternative drug sources. 

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

2026-01-30T10:58:27-05:00January 30, 2026|Missouri|

Montana

Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) and the Department of Public Health and Human Services announced the state will receive $233 million dedicated to rural healthcare in 2026. Montana received the fourth-most money of any state. Only Texas, Alaska, and California received more. The state health department will now submit a revised budget to CMS.  

Also in Montana, NACDS encourages interested members to review the information and updates on the state’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) website.  

Highlights include the following:  

  • In the upper right corner of the website under “Stay Engaged”, please consider signing up for email updates.  
  • Review “Frequently Asked Questions”, particularly questions related to funding and stakeholder engagement. 
  • Review “Stakeholder Advisory Meetings”. Below are the agenda and presentation from the January 22, 2026 meeting. 
    • Rural Health Transformation Stakeholder Advisory Committee presentation: Please note RHTP governance overview (slide #5), procurement (slides #6 and #7), and program initiatives (slides #13 through #29) 

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

2026-01-30T10:57:42-05:00January 30, 2026|Montana|

Nebraska

The Department of Health and Human Services posted the draft minutes from the Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board’s January 13 meeting. The next meeting will be held on May 12. 

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

2026-01-30T10:56:32-05:00January 30, 2026|Nebraska|

North Carolina

The latest Medicaid Pharmacy Newsletter, dated January 2026, is now available on the Medicaid website. In addition to the February 2026 check write schedule, this edition of the newsletter includes the articles: 

  • Reminder: Immunizing Pharmacist Enrollment in NC Medicaid Contraceptives and NRT Protocol Reimbursement to Pharmacies 
  • NC Medicaid's Participation in Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Cell and Gene Therapy Access Model for Sickle Cell Disease 
  • North Carolina to Launch First-of-its-Kind NC Medicaid Managed Care Plan for Children and Families on Dec. 1, 2025 
  • Billing Reminder of a Third-Party Prescription to Medicaid  
  • NC Medicaid Reinstitutes Coverage for GLP-1s in Weight Management 
  • Coming in May: New Pharmacy Benefits Administrator for NC Medicaid Direct  

 Providers are encouraged to review this important information. The 2026 Medicaid Pharmacy Newsletters can be viewed here.  

Also in North Carolina, the Sales and Use Tax Division of the Department of Revenue (NCDOR)  issued the following guidance on the application and remittance of sales tax as it relates to rounding due to the elimination of the penny. As noted in the guidance, any rounding due to the elimination of the penny should be conducted after the application of sales and use tax and all applicable sales and use tax must be remitted by the retailer to the NCDOR regardless of whether the retailer rounded up or down. 

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

2026-01-30T10:55:43-05:00January 30, 2026|North Carolina|

North Dakota

Medicaid engaged Myers and Stauffer, LC, to perform a pharmacy cost of dispensing study. The survey results will be used to evaluate the professional dispensing fee in the state's Medicaid pharmacy program. The survey is expected to be mailed in February 2026. A stakeholder meeting was held on January 27. The presentation and survey are currently available at North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services Provider Portal | Myers & Stauffer. To listen to the recording of the meeting, please visit the above website and scroll down to "Cost of Dispensing". Please contact Kip Stephenson or Sandy Eckert with the Myers and Stauffer cost of dispensing survey help desk at (800) 374-6858 or disp_survey@mslc.com should you have any questions. 

Also in North Dakota, Gov. Kelly Armstrong (R) signed SB 2402 at the conclusion of the 2026 Special Session on rural healthcare. This legislation expands pharmacist scope of practice to include limited prescriptive authority; test and treatment for influenza, strep throat and SARS-CoV-2; and therapeutic substitution. 

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

2026-01-30T10:55:01-05:00January 30, 2026|North Dakota|
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