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Minnesota

NACDS learned that pharmacies can expect to receive their first lump sum payment from the Medicaid Pharmacy Directed Payment Program (DPP) by October 15. The $4.50 per claim payment is based on claims from January 1 to May 31, 2026. The Department of Human Services shared this list of pharmacies that qualified for the payment as of August 18. Pharmacies with less than 14 locations or any located in federally designated rural areas that did not meet the initial affirmation deadline can still qualify for the second payment cycle. The third (and final) payment cycle payment will be processed at the end of 2026. 

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

2026-09-18T11:22:17-04:00September 18, 2026|Minnesota|

Missouri

MO HealthNet issued a provider bulletin on credentialing requirements for participation in Medicaid Managed Care.  

Also in Missouri, CPESN MO pharmacies have two opportunities to contract with Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) to provide monthly patient care services while also participating in value-based care payments tied to improving patient outcomes. These opportunities give pharmacy teams a pathway to expand clinical services, strengthen patient relationships, and generate additional revenue through monthly service payments and value-based care incentives. 

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

2026-09-18T11:21:42-04:00September 18, 2026|Missouri|

New Mexico

Effective September 1, 2026, pharmacists can use the new statewide order and the Department of Health (NMDOH) recommendations to provide 2026–2027 COVID-19 vaccines. The state preserved broad access, including vaccination of healthy individuals ages 2–64 years who request protection, and the pharmacist protocol recognizes NMDOH and several professional organizations as competent guideline authorities.  

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

2026-09-18T11:21:11-04:00September 18, 2026|New Mexico|

North Carolina

Beginning November 1, 2026, controlled substances pharmacy claims billed under Medicaid Direct (Prime Therapeutics), will be denied at the pharmacy point of sale if the prescribing providers have not updated their NCTracks provider enrollment record with active DEA numbers. Additional details can be found in the NC Medicaid Bulletin. This policy change follows identification of providers who are prescribing controlled substances but have not indicated this in their NCTracks enrollment record and have not provided their DEA numbers. Pharmacies may begin seeing increased denials related to this update. North Carolina Medicaid is continuing outreach to impacted providers to encourage them to update their enrollment records ahead of the November 1 deadline.

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

2026-09-18T11:20:27-04:00September 18, 2026|North Carolina|

Texas

NACDS sponsored the Texas Public Policy Foundation's (TPPF) Healthcare Symposium, underscoring the association's continued engagement in advancing healthcare and pharmacy policy in Texas. NACDS Board of Directors member Kevin Host, Senior Vice President of Pharmacy at Walmart, participated on the "Texas Challenges" panel, bringing an important pharmacy perspective to the discussion. NACDS continues to advocate for policies that recognize and expand pharmacists' ability to provide essential healthcare services, helping patients access convenient, community-based care and leveraging pharmacies more fully to improve healthcare access, affordability and efficiency.  

Also in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott's (R) office confirmed that routine pharmacist-patient medication consultations conducted by telephone are not considered telehealth services under the intent of a new state telehealth law. As a result, these standard consultations will not be subject to recently adopted telehealth rule requirements, including patient informed consent documentation and related recordkeeping obligations, preserving existing pharmacy practice and avoiding additional compliance burdens. The governor's office directed the Texas State Board of Pharmacy to issue formal written guidance confirming this interpretation, which will also ensure no changes to inspection or enforcement practices related to audio-based medication counseling. Texas Federation of Drug Stores lobbyist Janis Carter, Nicole Kralj with Walgreens, and HEB pharmacists Doug Read and Roxi Afshar engaged with the Governor's Office and bill authors to help secure this favorable outcome for Texas pharmacy patients and providers. 

Also in Texas, the Nutrition Advisory Committee (TNAC) published an annual report with nutritional guidelines created by Texans for Texans. SB 25, legislation passed in 2025, created TNAC with members appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott. In addition to establishing the committee, SB 25 expands physical education in elementary and middle school, enhances nutrition education at all levels and requires food manufacturers to label foods that contain certain ingredients. 

Also in Texas, as required by SB 1 passed in 2025, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) issued a report on Opioid Use Disorder expenditures.  

Finally in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) submitted its Legislative Appropriations Request (LAR) for fiscal years 2028-29 to the Office of the Governor's Budget and Policy Division and the Legislative Budget Board, detailing funding priorities, identifying exceptional item needs for state leadership and legislative consideration and reflecting the required 3% reduction to the base budget.  

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

2026-09-18T11:19:56-04:00September 18, 2026|Texas|

Washington

The Health Care Authority (HCA) Apple Health is hosting another pharmacy Q&A discussion for pharmacy billers on November 4, 1:30 – 2:30 pm, phone conference ID: 873897520#, Phone conference ID: 873897520#, Telephone: +1 564 999 2000 US (Local – Olympia, WA) +1 833 322 1218 US (Toll-free).

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

2026-09-18T11:19:25-04:00September 18, 2026|Washington|

Wisconsin

The annual influenza, RSV and COVID-19 letters signed by Dr. Jasmine Zapata, Dr. Ryan Westergaard and Dr. Stephanie Schauer are now available. These letters provide guidance on administering influenza, RSV and COVID-19 vaccines for the 2026–2027 respiratory season. You can also find the letters on the Immunization Program home page under "annual respiratory vaccine updates."  

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has issued statewide standing medical orders to ensure the 2026–2027 influenza and COVID-19 vaccines are available to all eligible Wisconsinites who want the vaccines, in alignment with recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

2026-09-18T11:18:57-04:00September 18, 2026|Wisconsin|

California

As part of the West Coast Health Alliance, the Department of Public Health released vaccine recommendations for the 2026–27 respiratory virus season.  

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda for the full Board Meeting on September 17. Please note item III. Discussion and Possible Action Related to Proposed Amendment of California Codes of Regulations, Title 16, Section 1707.4 Related to Central Fill Pharmacies, Including Discussion of Requirement for a Central Fill Pharmacy to be Located in California.  

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

2026-09-11T13:30:28-04:00September 11, 2026|California|
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