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So far Michael Silber has created 2118 blog entries.

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|

Vermont

The Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA) previously reported that Change Healthcare (CHC), which operates Vermont’s Medicaid pharmacy claims system, experienced a significant cybersecurity issue on February 21, 2024. To reduce pharmacy and provider burden and allow for claims processing, DVHA temporarily removed select reject codes. DVHA thanks pharmacy providers for continuing to support members and for following VT Medicaid policies and requirements. Although pharmacy prior authorizations are not back to full functionality, providers are reminded to refer to the Preferred Drug List (PDL) & Clinical Criteria. This will help ensure smooth transitions when prior authorizations become available again. Please note, DVHA continues to prefer brands in some cases as these agents have lower net cost to the state. Examples:  

PREFERRED AGENTS  

  • SUBOXONE® sublingual FILM  
  • VYVANSE ® (lisdexamfetamine) capsule QTY LIMIT: 1 cap /day  
  • ALBUTEROL HFA (Teva labeler code 00093 is the only preferred form) PROAIR® Respiclick (albuterol) VENTOLIN® HFA (albuterol) XOPENEX® HFA (levalbuterol)  
  • SYMBICORT® (budesonide/formoterol) QTY LIMIT: 9 inhalers (91.8gm)/90 days  
  • CONCERTA® (methylphenidate SA OSM IR/ER, 22:78%)  
  • ADVAIR® DISKUS (fluticasone/salmeterol) (Age ≥ 4 years) QTY LIMIT: 3 inhalers/90 days ADVAIR® HFA (fluticasone/salmeterol) (Age ≥ 12 years)  

 Vermont Medicaid advises pharmacies to contact the Optum Pharmacy Helpdesk with any questions (including Early Periodic Screening Diagnostic Treatment (EPSDT) requests) at 1-844-679-536 or email.  

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

2024-05-09T11:37:28-04:00May 9, 2024|Vermont|

Washington

NACDS was alerted that an error has occurred when the Health Care Authority (HCA) made the Retroactive Time Period payments to the pharmacies under Section 4(b) of the Washington State Medicaid lawsuit Settlement Agreement, and that HCA is taking steps to correct the error which will impact some pharmacies’ reimbursement. HCA discovered that it had overpaid 197 pharmacies while underpaying 334 pharmacies and will be correcting the erroneous payments.   

Also in Washington, the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) filed a CR-103E Emergency Rulemaking order codifying in rule the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of certain naloxone hydrochloride nasal sprays as over the counter. PQAC considers the ongoing opioid epidemic to be a public health emergency in Washington state. This rule, filed on April 5, 2024, took effect immediately and will remain in effect for 120 days but will be refiled as needed while permanent rulemaking is in progress. 

Also in Washington, the Health Care Authority Apple Health (Medicaid) added the new over the counter (OTC) birth control pill – Norgestrel oral tablets (Opill) – to the list of covered drugs that also includes family planning supplies without a prescription, such as condoms, emergency contraception and spermicides. 

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

2024-05-09T11:36:40-04:00May 9, 2024|Washington|

Arkansas

The 94th General Assembly fiscal session convened on April 10 with Gov. Sara Huckabee Sanders (R) giving her state-of-the-state address, asking the legislature to approve a $6.3 billion budget.

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

2024-04-11T14:44:08-04:00April 11, 2024|Arkansas|

Florida

The Department of Revenue has announced that, effective June 1, 2024, the state sales tax rate imposed under section 212.031, Florida Statutes (F.S.), on the total rent charged for renting, leasing, letting, or granting a license to use real property (also known as “commercial rentals”) is reduced from 4.5% to 2.0%. Information about the proper reporting of tax due on commercial rentals is available on the Department’s website at floridarevenue.com/forms. For more information, please review the Department’s Taxpayer Information Publication.

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

2024-04-11T14:42:44-04:00April 11, 2024|Florida|

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