Michael Silber, Author at In The States

Texas

The Prescription Monitoring Program’s (PMP) Advisory Committee is meeting remotely on March 28. The meeting materials and agenda will be posted, when available.

Also in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) provided an update to the Clinical Prior Authorization Assistance Chart, identifying which clinical prior authorization each MCO uses and whether the MCO uses all or some of the steps in the evaluation process.

Finally in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) selected Gainwell Technologies as the pharmacy benefit administrator for the Vendor Drug Program. Gainwell will continue to use the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) standard D.0 telecommunication standard format for pharmacy claim transactions beginning on March 30.

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

Michael Silber2024-03-21T12:03:51-04:00March 21, 2024|Texas|

Utah

On March 13, Gov. Spencer Cox (R) signed SB 207, legislation that prohibits the use of extrapolation in pharmacy audits among various other provisions to update the Pharmacy Practice Act.

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

Michael Silber2024-03-21T12:03:11-04:00March 21, 2024|Utah|

Washington

The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) will hold a rules workshop during the May 2-3 business meeting on draft rule language regarding prescription transfers. The draft rule language discussed at the March 7 meeting was amended (WAC 246-945-345) to clarify noncontrolled prescription transfers, and language was added (WAC 246-945-346) relating to controlled substance prescription transfers. The PQAC is soliciting written comments on the draft rule language through April 5. Submit comments to PharmacyRules@doh.wa.gov; oral comments may be provided at the May rules workshop.

Also in Washington, the Health Care Authority (HCA) hosted a Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) meeting on March 20. More information about the PDAB is available on the website.

Finally in Washington, the 2024 Regular Session adjourned sine die on March 7. Our #1 priority bill in the state, a PBM reform bill filed by Sen. Patty Kurderer (D), ESSSB 5213, passed both houses and was delivered to Gov. Jay Inslee (D). Although the bill exempts ERISA plans, it enhances the Insurance Commissioner’s enforcement authority, establishes an appeals process, opens the network, includes anti-steering and mail order provisions, prohibits spread pricing, and expands MAC appeals to all prescriptions, not just generic drugs.

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

Michael Silber2024-03-21T12:02:46-04:00March 21, 2024|Washington|

Alaska

PBM (Pharmacy Benefit Management) reform bills NACDS supports continued to advance this week. SB 121 was heard in the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee and HB 226 was heard in House Labor and Commerce on Committee.

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

Michael Silber2024-03-08T11:38:37-05:00March 8, 2024|Alaska|

Arizona

The following bills will be heard in the House Regulatory Affairs Committee on March 13:

SB 1164, legislation prohibiting PBMs (Pharmacy Benefit Managers) from limiting or excluding coverage of a prescription drug for any covered individual who is on a specific prescription drug when certain conditions are met; prescribing formulary change notification requirements; and establishing a prescription coverage exemption determination process.
SB 1165, legislation prohibiting an auditing entity from retroactively reducing the amount of a claim payment to a pharmacist or pharmacy after adjudication of the claim for a prescription drug, with certain exceptions and prescribes requirements for a wholesale invoice audit.

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

Michael Silber2024-03-08T11:38:07-05:00March 8, 2024|Arizona|

California

The Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts, weekly notices, and monthly bulletin on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal: 

Planned Maintenance of Medi-Cal Rx Fax Lines (March 4)
Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-up for February 23-29 (March 1)
Maximum Allowable Ingredient Cost 30-Day Pharmacy Provider Notice (March 1)
Medi-Cal Rx Monthly Bulletin for March (March 1)
Changes to the Medi-Cal Rx Contract Drugs List (March 1)
Updates to the Medi-Cal Rx Provider Manual (March 1)

Also in California, on March 4, “Provider Resources Amidst Change Healthcare Cybersecurity Issue” was posted to the Medi-Cal News area on the Medi-Cal Provider website.

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

Michael Silber2024-03-08T11:37:29-05:00March 8, 2024|California|

Colorado

The state’s Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention’s

Annual Report is available here. This Consortium coordinates Colorado’s response to the misuse of medications such as opioids, stimulants, and sedatives. Its mission is to reduce prescription drug misuse and abuse in Colorado by developing policies, programs, and partnerships with the many Colorado agencies, organizations, and community coalitions addressing one of the state’s major public health crises.

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

Michael Silber2024-03-08T11:36:31-05:00March 8, 2024|Colorado|

Florida

The Agency for Health Care Administration has rescheduled the hearing for Rule 59G-4.250, F.A.C., Prescribed Drug Services, noticed in Vol. 50, No. 31, February 14, 2024, Florida Administrative Register, for March 20, 2024, from 2:00 to 2:30 p.m. at the Agency for Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Drive, Building 3, Tallahassee, FL 32308.

A call-in number or virtual option will not be available for this hearing. Official notice of the rescheduled hearing published in Vol. 50, No. 40, of the Florida Administrative Register (FAR) on February 27, 2024. A copy of the notice may be found on the FAR website.

Please note that a preliminary draft of the reference material, if available, will be posted prior to the workshop on our Rules Web page.

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

Michael Silber2024-03-08T11:35:46-05:00March 8, 2024|Florida|

Hawaii

On March 5, HB 2553, legislation expanding pharmacists’ immunization authority for minors, passed the House and was transmitted to the Senate.

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

Michael Silber2024-03-08T11:34:38-05:00March 8, 2024|Hawaii|

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