Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) issued an Emergency Order (EO) on January 20, EO 25-13 ,declaring a state of emergency, which allows for state officials to make critical resources available to communities ahead of any potential storm impacts.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Additional PBM reforms, including filing of complaints to report PBM non-compliance with PBM laws, went into effect on January 1. Pharmacies may now send complaints to the Department of Insurance either using the online complaint form or emailing them to pbm@doi.idaho.gov.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
NACDS serves on the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) Advisory Council that will be meeting on February 5 at the Board of Pharmacy offices in Baton Rouge.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The 2025 budget proposal by Gov. Janet Mills (D) includes a $.70 per prescription tax. The administration claims the proposal is revenue neutral. NACDS is working with the Retail Association of Maine and the Maine Pharmacists Association to engage the governor’s office to find out the motivation and true impact to pharmacies.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
On January 22, Gov. Maura Healey (D) announced her Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal. The proposal includes two relevant sections for pharmacies:
NACDS will continue to work with the Massachusetts Chain Pharmacy Council to engage the administration and legislature. A collective meeting had been scheduled for the end of the month with MassHealth and Mercer on the ongoing cost of dispensing study issues. This meeting and others will be moved up sooner.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
The Department of Health and Human Services posted the durable medical equipment, prosthetic, orthotics and medical supplies (DMEPOS) fee schedule effective January 1, 2025, and published 471-000-507 Nebraska Medicaid Practitioner Fee Schedule for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetic, Orthotics and Medical Supplies (DMEPOS).
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
In advance of the Board of Pharmacy’s Public Hearing on January 16 on proposed rules on minimum staffing requirements, NACDS submitted a letter of concern. Rather than imposing burdensome staffing requirements that could limit pharmacies’ ability to deliver pharmacy care, we urged the Board to focus on policy changes that allow pharmacies to deploy innovative pharmacy care models and technologies that improve pharmacy efficiencies and enhance capacity to deliver the level of care that patients demand.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
On January 21, Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) released her budget proposal. The budget includes the following outside sections relevant to pharmacies:
NACDS will continue to monitor the budget process in the state and advocate for policy priorities.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
The Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) regularly offers free Healthy Connections Medicaid training to enrolled Healthy Connections Medicaid providers and their billing agents. These recurring trainings are conducted by SCDHHS’ contracted vendors. Information about the upcoming February-April trainings and to register for a workshop or find additional training resources, please visit the Medicaid Provider Education website or call the Provider Service Center (PSC) at (888) 289-0709. The PSC’s hours of operation are 7:30 am-5:00 pm Monday-Thursday and 8:30 am-5:00 pm Friday.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
