Ohio
The Board of Pharmacy published New OARRS Rules that will be effective on July 1.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Oklahoma
NACDS collaborated with the Oklahoma Pharmacy Association to advance four critical PBM reform bills. SB 2074, which establishes a pharmacy reimbursement rate floor—setting NADAC plus a dispensing fee that cannot fall below the Medicaid fee-for-service rate for both commercial and state plans—was heard by the House Public Health Committee on April 8. The committee also considered two additional PBM reform bills, including SB 1500 and SB 2007. On April 7, the House Insurance Committee heard SB 1447. NACDS submitted letters voicing strong support for all four bills, which would implement essential PBM reforms.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Oregon
The Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) posted its draft agenda and meeting materials for the April 15 meeting. Check the PDAB website for updates prior to the meeting. Register in advance.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Rhode Island
See the April 2026 provider update, which includes Medicaid’s new policy which reinforces its role as payer of last resort by denying pharmacy claims when a primary insurer rejects a claim due to lack of prior authorization (PA). Pharmacies must now resolve PA requirements with the primary payer before billing Medicaid and include valid NCPDP reject codes to demonstrate coordination of benefits. Additional provider updates can also be found on the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Tennessee
The Board of Pharmacy met last week and held a rulemaking hearing on the Compounding and Ambulatory Surgery Treatment Center (ASTC) Pharmacy rules, as well as standard Board business.
- The Board approved its first petition to remove consent orders related to substance use from public view on a pharmacist's profile on the Licensure Verification tool. This is in accordance with Public Chapter 100. A rulemaking hearing is occurring later this month related to this process.
- The Board approved the proposed rules for Compounding and ASTC Pharmacy with amendments. The Board voted to approve a 12-month educational period following final approval of the rules by the Secretary of State where compounding pharmacies may work towards compliance. If you have questions about which specific amendments were made, please contact olivia@tnpharm.org.
- The Board's Rulemaking Committee reported at their recent meeting that it plans to have a draft of updated rules by December 2026. At the next Rulemaking Committee meeting on April 30, the committee will focus on at least license reinstatement and pharmacy technicians, while the May 21 meeting will focus on workplace conditions.
Fees for certain licensure categories will be changing. The Board is still working to finalize these new fees.
Also in Tennessee, the Department of Health Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization Program (VPDIP) invites you to the 4th Annual Immunization Provider Expo, taking place virtually on April 14. The Expo will run from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon CST. This year's theme, "Restoring Trust in Vaccines", highlights how emotional storytelling, community engagement and data-driven insights can help rebuild public confidence in immunizations.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Texas
The Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute (TCCRI) issued a paper on Federal 340B Reform: Why Accountability Matters for Texas Employers and Patients.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Washington
Effective April 1, all prescribing providers must be enrolled with ProviderOne as an Apple Health provider. This includes any pharmacists who administer vaccines or prescribe products within their scope of practice. While this requirement has been in effect for the fee-for-service program since 2014, starting in April this applies to managed care organizations (MCOs).
Also in Washington, Apple Health (Medicaid), administered by the Health Care Authority will implement changes to the State Maximum Allowable Costs (SMAC) list for the fee-for-service (FFS) Prescription Drug Program. View MAC memo for rate changes effective June 1.
Finally in Washington, the Health Care Authority (HCA) announced that Trinity Wilson was appointed Medicaid Director, overseeing Apple Health (Medicaid) and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Wilson brings more than 12 years of experience in Apple Health, with a background spanning eligibility policy and operations, customer and provider services and enterprise systems. She has served as Interim Medicaid Director since November 2025.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Alabama
The Department of Insurance (DOI) updated its PBM compliance website.
Updates include:
- Updated fax number (Please note the PBM Compliance Department has an updated fax number: 334-241-4110; the old fax number should no longer be operational.)
- Updated pharmacy complaint form (to remove patient PHI information)
- Reimbursement complaint spreadsheet template
- Best practices document
- Updated PBM actions page
- Links to PBM related laws and regulations
- Consumer complaint form and
- List of additional resources, including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), the Board of Pharmacy, stakeholder websites and Medicaid Average Acquisition Cost (AAC) reimbursement.
DOI will still accept the old complaint forms but would prefer pharmacies to move over to the new template in the upcoming weeks.
Also in Alabama, the Board of Pharmacy met last week and heard comments on its proposed rule for a Civil Penalty Schedule. This includes proposed fine ranges for violations by all license and permit holders. They voted to have an amended version published by next week and restart the public comment period. Be on the lookout for more information once the revised version is available. You can listen to the entire Board of Pharmacy meeting online.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
California
The Department of Health Care Services posted the following on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal. Please note reminders and urgent messages below.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.