The Retailers’ Day at the Capitol is on January 29.
Also in Arkansas, HB 1150, filed by Rep. Jeremiah Moore (R) and Sen. Kim Hammer (R), prohibits PBMs from owning pharmacies in the state. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Insurance and Commerce.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
On January 17, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) issued a news release detailing the Department’s work to expand support for Medi-Cal members impacted by the Southern California wildfires. DHCS swiftly implemented key administrative flexibilities to protect Medi-Cal members in affected regions of the state. These efforts included simplified Medi-Cal enrollment and renewal processes, waived requirements to access prescription medications and medical devices and other flexibilities to ensure all Medi-Cal members have access to care during this emergency. Additionally, DHCS is actively seeking further federal flexibilities to expand support for impacted Medi-Cal members and providers.
Also in California, beginning January 17, the federal Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) activated the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP) for specific zip codes in California to help uninsured residents replace prescription medicines and/or certain medical equipment lost or damaged in the 2025 Los Angeles Fires. EPAP has been activated through March 15, 2025. To locate participating pharmacies, visit EPAP Enrolled Pharmacies.
Also in California, on January 17, DHCS began hosting a weekly Medi-Cal Rx Pediatric Integration webinar. Webinars will be held every Friday from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm PST to support partner readiness. Partners, including pharmacy providers and prescribers, should plan to attend a webinar prior to the implementation of Medi-Cal Rx Pediatric Integration on January 31. More information is available on the Medi-Cal Rx Education & Outreach webpage.
Finally in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts and weekly notice on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
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’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
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’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
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.