Michael Silber – Page 87

California

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) posted the following alerts and weekly notices on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:

List of Medications Eligible for an Extended Duration Prior Authorization (May 12)
Reinstatement Spotlight (May 12)
Medi-Cal Weekly Wrap-up for April 28-May 4 (May 5)
Reinstatement Spotlight (May 5)

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda and meeting materials for the May 17 meeting of the Full Board. Discussion topics include proposed regulations related to automated drug delivery system self-assessment form and the draft legislative report regarding assessment of Standard of Care Enforcement Model in the Practice of Pharmacy.

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

Michael Silber2023-05-12T10:38:30-04:00May 12, 2023|California|

Colorado

Prior to the end of the regular session sine die on May 8, the legislature approved several bills pharmacies supported that have been signed into law by Gov. Jared Polis (D).

SB23-162, will increase access to pharmacy services, including (1) pharmacy technicians administering vaccinations, point-of care testing and technical tasks delegated by the pharmacist, (2) increasing the Pharmacy Technician ratio for central fill facilities to 8:1 and (3) allowing Medicaid to reimburse pharmacies for administering vaccines to children under 19 years old.
HB23- 1201, PBM reform legislation, eliminates spread pricing and provides for more transparency.
HB23-1227 enhances the Commissioners enforcement authority over PBMs.

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

Michael Silber2023-05-12T10:37:53-04:00May 12, 2023|Colorado|

Georgia

On May 2, Gov. Brian Kemp (R) signed HB 416 which allows pharmacy technicians to administer all ACIP vaccinations to persons 18 years of age and older. The bill went into effect upon the Governor’s signature.

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

Michael Silber2023-05-12T10:37:01-04:00May 12, 2023|Georgia|

Iowa

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO. 2459-MC-FFS RE: Molina Provider Contracting and Training. Molina Healthcare of Iowa will join Amerigroup and Iowa Total Care to provide benefits for IA Health Link and Hawki members on July 1, 2023. HHS will allocate up to one-third of Medicaid members to Molina effective July 1, 2023.

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

Michael Silber2023-05-12T10:36:09-04:00May 12, 2023|Iowa|

Kentucky

The Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) has published a COVID Vaccine and Testing FAQ to assist pharmacies specific to the Medicaid Unwinding. It clarifies CHFS’ interpretation of pharmacist authority to provide COVID vaccines and testing post-May 11 and the expiration of the PREP Act. https://www.nacds.org/ceo/2023/0512/PHE-Unwinding-COVID-FAQ.pdf

Also in Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear (D) signed HB 349, sponsored by pharmacist Rep. Danny Bentley (R). The law expands expedited partner therapy for the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) to include more diseases. The bill also permits the retail sale of HIV self-administered testing kits.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Michael Silber2023-05-12T10:35:36-04:00May 12, 2023|Kentucky|

Louisiana

While HB 471, by Rep. Barbara Freiberg (R) authorizing pharmacists to order and administer, and pharmacy interns and pharmacy technicians to administer immunizations to children aged seven years and older was scheduled to be heard in the House Health and Welfare Committee on May 10, the sponsor asked that the bill be deferred until May 17. The additional time gives chain pharmacies an opportunity to take action and contact House Health and Welfare Committee members urging them to support HB 471 to preserve patient access for children and families to receive lifesaving vaccines at pharmacies.

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

Michael Silber2023-05-12T10:34:48-04:00May 12, 2023|Louisiana|

Maryland

Beginning July 20, 2023, pharmacies will be required to report Naloxone dispensing to the PDMP (Prescription Drug Monitoring Program) because of passage of a 2022 law. Additionally, the PDMP is changing certain ASAP (American Society for Automation in Pharmacy) fields from “optional” to “required.” For more information, see the updated PDMP RxGov Data Submitter Reference Guide with changes dictated by the naloxone statute, changes to required fields and new guidance from ASAP for v4.2A & v4.2B.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Michael Silber2023-05-12T10:33:48-04:00May 12, 2023|Maryland|

Michigan

NACDS reminds members that the Department of Insurance has posted a draft rule pursuant to the PBM Licensure and Regulation Act. NACDS is currently reviewing the rule and intends to file comments by the June 9 deadline. If there are comments you would like us to include in the letter, please send them to Jill McCormack by close of business on May 26.

Also in Michigan, the Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is soliciting comments from Medicaid Health Plan Common Formulary. The Common Formulary applies to pharmacy claims paid by Medicaid Managed Care Organizations. The public may submit comments on the drugs included or not included on the Common Formulary; new drug products; prior authorization criteria; step therapy criteria and other topics related to drug coverage. The comments will be reviewed by MDHHS and the Michigan Medicaid Health Plan Common Formulary Workgroup. The next drug classes to be reviewed by the Workgroup include Diabetes, GI, P & T Miscellaneous, Non-Drug Products and Endocrine & Metabolic. Changes may be made to the Common Formulary based on comments received. Comments are due June 16 and should be emailed to MDHHSCommonFormulary@michigan.gov .

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Michael Silber2023-05-12T10:32:45-04:00May 12, 2023|Michigan|

Nebraska

The Department of Health and Human Services posted information about the expiration of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency including fee-for-service providers are no longer allowed to extend prior authorizations that existed before the pandemic started through to the end of the pandemic without requiring follow-up visits and cost-sharing, including copayments/copays and premiums, will continue to be waived for members of Nebraska Medicaid until June 1, 2024.

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services announced Medicaid will hold weekly public webinars on the public health unwinding as part of the return to regular eligibility operations.

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

Michael Silber2023-05-12T10:29:44-04:00May 12, 2023|Nebraska|

About Michael Silber