Michael Silber, Author at In The States

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So far Michael Silber has created 2529 blog entries.

California

The Board of Pharmacy announced the modification and/or extension of the waivers of Pharmacy Law issued in response to the Los Angeles Fires.

The waiver that provides flexibility to increase the number of pharmacy technicians a pharmacist may supervise has been modified and the expiration date has been extended to June 30, 2025 (or the termination date of the state of emergency, whichever is sooner).

The expiration date of the waiver that provides flexibility for pharmacy personnel to perform some functions from outside of a licensed pharmacy has been extended to June 30, 2025 (or the termination date of the state of emergency, whichever is sooner).

The expiration date of the waiver to allow for the delivery of drugs to an alternate location has been extended to March 31, 2025 (or the termination date of the state of emergency, whichever is sooner).

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following:

Finally in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts and a weekly notice on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal. Please note the 2025 prescription volume attestation survey will be available to providers March 1 through March 31. Also, to avoid mail delivery delays and save paper, Medi-Cal Rx encourages pharmacy providers to opt into receiving the Medi-Cal Rx remittance information via the Electronic Remittance Advice (ERA) format.

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

Michael Silber2025-03-06T19:02:32-05:00February 20, 2025|California|

Connecticut

On February 20, 2025, the Joint Committee on Human Services held a hearing on several bills, including H6101, An Act Concerning Medicaid Coverage of Food as Medicine and Expanding Access to the Connecticut Farmers’ Market/Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program. NACDS testified and submitted testimony in coordination with the Connecticut Chain Pharmacy Council and the Connecticut Food Association.

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

Michael Silber2025-02-20T13:45:19-05:00February 20, 2025|Connecticut|

Indiana

SB 96, immunization legislation NACDS supports because it removes the list of vaccines a pharmacist can administer, allowing them to provide any vaccine recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices that has been approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration under a drug order, under a prescription, or according to a protocol approved by a physician. The bill was amended, giving the Indiana Commissioner of Health the authority to remove a specific vaccination from the list of vaccines recommended and approved by the federal agencies, and then unanimously approved by the Senate.

Also in Indiana, NACDS rallied members to contact their senators to urge support for the rate floor bill that is scheduled for a Senate vote this week. SB 140 would establish a minimum dispensing reimbursement rate of NADAC plus a professional dispensing fee equal to the Medicaid Fee for Service fee, which is currently $10.64.

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

Michael Silber2025-02-20T13:44:38-05:00February 20, 2025|Indiana|

Iowa

NACDS sponsored and attended the recent Iowa Pharmacy Association’s (IPA) Pharmacy Day on the Hill that included 200 pharmacy professionals in Des Moines to advocate for PBM reform at the Iowa State Capitol. The comprehensive PBM reform bill (HSB 99 / SSB 1074) passed out of subcommittee in the House and Senate and moves on to consideration by the full committees in both chambers as early as this week. IPA also hosted a PBM Reform Press Conference, revealing the latest poll data demonstrating resounding support for PBM reform among Iowans. These companion bills include important NACDS PBM reform legislative priorities including patient choice of pharmacy, anti-mandatory mail order, and commercial cost-based rate floor reimbursement methodology for the product and professional dispensing fee as published by the Iowa Medicaid Enterprise provider fee schedule. Also, a PBM cannot deny a pharmacy or pharmacist the right to participate as a contract provider under a plan if the pharmacy or pharmacist agrees to the terms and requirements of the plan and the terms of reimbursement.

Also in Iowa, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Iowa Medicaid posted INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO. 2660-MC-FFS RE: Quantity Limit Update on Needles and Syringes effective March 1.

Finally in Iowa, the Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing’s Professional Health Committee – Pharmacy announced a meeting to be held on February 26.

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

Michael Silber2025-02-20T13:43:59-05:00February 20, 2025|Iowa|

Kentucky

Gov. Andy Beshear (D) declared a state of emergency due to the severe storms that swept through the Commonwealth on February 14. In response, Medicaid has activated NCPDP procedures for pharmacies to override certain denials for members impacted by the storms. Gov. Beshear also activated the state’s emergency operations center and implemented the state’s price gouging laws to protect Kentuckians from overpriced goods and services as they recover from the storm.

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

Michael Silber2025-02-20T13:43:21-05:00February 20, 2025|Kentucky|

Louisiana

The state Surgeon General Ralph Abraham sent a directive to state health workers on February 13, 2025, ending long-standing mass vaccination clinics and banning staff from promoting seasonal vaccines. Abraham also issued a letter to the public criticizing the state’s COVID response and public health institutions.

Also in Louisiana, NACDS submitted a letter supporting the proposed rules implementing House Bill 579 which we passed in 2024, enabling pharmacists to offer HIV prevention services.

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

Michael Silber2025-02-20T13:42:44-05:00February 20, 2025|Louisiana|

Missouri

MO HealthNet (Medicaid) is conducting a survey regarding the implementation of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities (SUPPORT) Act’s prescription drug monitoring program mandate. The SUPPORT Act required that states mandate that covered providers consult a qualified prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) before prescribing controlled substances to covered individuals. States must report annual data about the use of PDMPs by covered providers before prescribing controlled substances to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Also in Missouri, effective January 9, 2025, the MO HealthNet Division (MHD) carved-out certain drugs from the 340B Drug Pricing Program reimbursement. It was necessary to allow the state to collect supplemental and value-based agreement rebates on certain therapies. The state cannot collect federal, supplemental, or value-based agreement rebates when a covered entity utilizes 340B stock.

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

Michael Silber2025-02-20T13:41:58-05:00February 20, 2025|Missouri|

Nebraska

The Department of Health and Human Services added the following items under the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Provider Resources dropdown.

Daily Freezer Temperature Log
Daily Refrigerator Temperature Log
Daily Ultracold Freezer Temperature Log
Quick Reminders
Transport During Emergencies
Vaccine Restitution Form
VFC Borrowing Report
Vaccine Storage Troubleshooting Report
Clinic Line Listing Template
Clinic Line Listing Blank

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

Michael Silber2025-02-20T13:40:33-05:00February 20, 2025|Nebraska|

New York

The New York Department of Health held its monthly pharmacy industry call for NYRx, the state Medicaid pharmacy benefit program on February 19, 2025. The agenda included (1) DME supplies, processing of incontinence supplies, as this is the highest category of waste, fraud and abuse in the program today; (2) enhancements to the internal system for prior authorizations which allow the state to override and amend as needed; and (3) unenrolled providers are rejected by EMEDNY, if there are any concerns, make sure your pharmacy is enrolled when activating. The next monthly meeting will be March 19, 2025, at 1pm.

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

Michael Silber2025-02-20T13:39:51-05:00February 20, 2025|New York|