Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) signed HB 2628 (Chapter 32), legislation permitting pharmacists to order and administer emergency medication to manage an acute allergic reaction to a medication administered at the pharmacy.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Board of Pharmacy posted information for the following meetings:
Also in California, the Department of Health Care Service posted the following weekly notices, alerts, and monthly bulletin on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal. Please note effective April 25, Medi-Cal Rx will complete implementation of Pediatric Integration by reinstating Reject Code 75 – Prior Authorization Required for all continuation of therapy claims for members 21 years of age and younger; see alert below for details.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Alex Adams, former executive director of the Board of Pharmacy, has been tapped to serve as the US Department of Health and Human Services assistant secretary for family support. The US Senate, which confirms presidential nominations, received his nomination. The State Legislature introduced a House Joint Memorial No. 8 to honor his work in the state.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) issued Bulletin202538 providing updates to the Point-of-Sale Quick Check (PSQC) automated prior authorization (PA) system, PA criteria, mental health utilization edits, Statewide Uniform Preferred Drug List (SUPDL) and Preferred Brand Drug List.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Iowa Pharmacy Association (IPA) announced the selection of Matthew Pitlick, PharmD, BCPS, as its next Executive Vice President & CEO. Since its founding in 1880, Pitlick will serve as IPA’s ninth Chief Executive Officer. Matthew Pitlick is a graduate of Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Pitlick served as clinical faculty at the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis, MO, for eight years before returning to his home state of Iowa. In 2018, Pitlick completed a one-year fellowship in Association Management with IPA. Dr. Pitlick will begin his service as incoming CEO on April 28, allowing for a brief overlap with Kate Gainer, PharmD, who will conclude her service as IPA’s CEO on June 6.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Medicaid, is encouraging pharmacy providers to participate in a Myers and Stauffer pharmacy cost of dispensing survey. Responses are due April 23. The survey results will be used to evaluate the costs associated with dispensing medications in the Medicaid pharmacy program. To help prepare pharmacies to participate in the survey, Myers and Stauffer will be conducting an informational online seminar at 3:00 pm Central Time on April 8, presenting details about the survey process, discussing what information is being requested and answering questions regarding the survey form. Attendance at one of the online seminar sessions requires a reservation. Please call 800-374-6858 or email disp_survey@mslc.com for a reservation and further meeting details. For additional details and links to the survey, please visit the website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
On March 30, MaineCare provided notice regarding the financial status of the state and its need to temporarily withhold reimbursement. Relevant from the notice:
For the payment cycle that will run on April 2, we will continue to take only the following actions, consistent with the approach for the previous three payment cycles:
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
The Prescription Drug Affordability Board’s (PDAB’s) Stakeholder Council will meet virtually April 28, 2025, at 2:00 pm. The agenda and other meeting materials will be available on the Stakeholder Council page of the PDAB’s website prior to the scheduled meeting. You must register in advance for the meeting link.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
On April 1, the state's Department of Health announced that beginning this summer, NYRx, the Medicaid Pharmacy Program, will accept electronic prior authorization (ePA) requests via CoverMyMeds® in addition to phone and fax requests.
CoverMyMeds is a tool designed to simplify the prior authorization process by prompting prescribers to answer required clinical questions that can offer real-time approvals if clinical criteria are met. Prescribers can electronically submit prior authorization requests, upload supporting documents and track request status in real time. Additionally, pharmacy providers who utilize CoverMyMeds will have the opportunity to initiate medication ePA requests on behalf of the member for completion by the prescriber. CoverMyMeds will direct the case to the prescriber's queue and prompt them to complete and submit the ePA to NYRx. Further communications, including effective dates, resources, and educational events, will be coming soon.
What Pharmacy Providers and Prescribers Need to Do
Also in New York, the NYRx Education & Outreach (E&O) team would like to invite interested parties to live training webinars, held weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm Eastern, excluding holidays. The live webinars focus on different areas of NYRx, the Medicaid Pharmacy Program. Registration is required to join. To attend an online seminar, starting April 2025, please click on the links provided below, or you may visit the NYRx Education & Outreach website to register.
At each presentation's end, there will be time for a live question/answer session. Please share this information with others in your organization that may be interested or would find this online seminar helpful.
NYRx Pharmacy Webinar: *NEW* A customized online seminar directed toward pharmacies, pharmacists and pharmacy staff who care for NYS Medicaid members.
Please send an email to NYRxEO@primetherapeutics.com for any questions or if you and your organization would like to schedule a webinar specific for your office staff or network. The NYRx E&O is happy to accommodate your schedule. Want to learn more about NYRx E&O? Visit our website: NYRx Education and Outreach website.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
