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So far Michael Silber has created 1944 blog entries.

Arizona

On April 18, Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) signed SB (Senate Bill) 1382 (Chapter 74), legislation requiring PBMs to obtain a certificate of authority to operate and outlining the role, responsibilities and authority of the Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions. 

Also in Arizona, the Board of Pharmacy scheduled Oral Proceeding/Public Comment RE: Prescribing a Self-Administered Hormonal Contraceptive on May 16 from 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. 

Finally in Arizona, the Board of Pharmacy Oral Proceeding/Public Comment RE: Technician Immunization Authority on May 22 at 9:00 a.m. 

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

2023-04-28T12:12:17-04:00April 28, 2023|Arizona|

California

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

Also in California, Medi-Cal posted the following:    

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda and meeting materials for the Standard of Care Ad Hoc Committee meeting on May 3. 

Finally in California, the Board of Pharmacy is accepting written comments on the following: 

  • Title 16 CCR § 1715.1 – Self-Assessment of an Automated Drug Delivery System 
  • Title 16 CCR § 1706.6 – Temporary Licenses for Military Spouses/Domestic Partners 

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

2023-04-28T12:11:45-04:00April 28, 2023|California|

Colorado

Legislation NACDS supports that would establish a registration process for PBMs and give the Insurance Commissioner authority to deny or revoke registration if the PBM violates laws or does not follow the prescribed process. Additionally, the bill would add maximum allowable cost (MAC) pricing protections, including specific provisions related to the appeals process. The bill passed the House and is pending in the Senate. (CO23-HB1227) 

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

2023-04-28T12:10:50-04:00April 28, 2023|Colorado|

Idaho

On March 31, Gov. Brad Little (R) signed HB 215 (Session Law Chapter 232, effective July 1, 2023), legislation adding enforcement language to Title 41-349 related maximum allowable cost (MAC). The new law permits the director [Department of Insurance] to act, issue penalties and make remedies for PBMs who violate the law in accordance with authorities in the Idaho Code.  

Also in Idaho, on March 31, Gov. Brad Little (R) signed HB 291 (Session Law Chapter 233, effective July 1, 2023), legislation establishing the Fair Pharmacy Audits Act and creating standards and criteria for the audit of pharmacies by PBMs or other authorized entities.

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

2023-04-28T12:09:49-04:00April 28, 2023|Idaho|

Indiana

Legislation authorizing pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraception passed both houses and was sent to Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) to be signed into law. (HB 1568)

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

2023-04-28T12:09:02-04:00April 28, 2023|Indiana|

Iowa

The Iowa Pharmacy Association, in coordination with the Iowa Medical Society (IMS), Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Iowa Hospital Association (IHA), and the Iowa Primary Care Association (Iowa PCA), leads the Iowa Healthcare Workforce Strategic Planning and Stakeholder Engagement Initiative.

Iowa communities are facing challenges recruiting and retaining across the healthcare workforce population. These partner organizations are working together to assess and evaluate the current landscape and future of the healthcare workforce in Iowa. From these meetings, the statewide action plan will evolve to address current workforce challenges and opportunities.

Over the next few months, regional meetings will be held across the state. All locations will have two sessions available in the day (either 9:00 am – 11:00 am or 1:00 pm – 3:00pm). Click the following links to register.

Upcoming regional townhall meetings: 
Des Moines on Friday, April 28th
Waterloo on Wednesday, May 10th  

Also in Iowa, the Department of Health and Human Services published the following:  

 Finally in Iowa, the Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda and related materials for its May 2 meeting. 

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

2023-04-28T12:08:24-04:00April 28, 2023|Iowa|

Kentucky

Pharmacies can now bill Medicaid for vaccines administered to children enrolled in the Medicaid program, regardless of the pharmacy’s participation in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. The change is a result of a rule recently adopted and effective as of March 9, 2023. The rule revised the VFC program regulatory requirements by deleting the language in Section 2 of 907 KAR 1:680 that had previously expressly prohibited Medicaid from “making] payment to a provider for the cost of a vaccine available through the Vaccines for Children Program.” Please reference the As Amended Proposed Rule to see the changes as engrossed in the FInal Rule. 

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

2023-04-28T12:06:33-04:00April 28, 2023|Kentucky|

Louisiana

The Legislature convened their 60-day fiscal session on Monday, April 10th. The House Health Committee has scheduled a hearing on May 10th on HB 471, legislation the Louisiana Alliance of Retail Pharmacies (LARP) initiated that lowers the age to 7 and older for pharmacies to administer all ACIP immunizations and vaccines without a patient specific prescription or medical order.

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

2023-04-28T12:05:53-04:00April 28, 2023|Louisiana|

Maryland

The General Assembly adjourned Sine Die this week. The following priority bills for pharmacy are on their way to Gov. Moore (D) for his signature: 

  • HB 693– Allows pharmacists to delegate the administration of certain vaccines to adults to Pharmacy technicians and allows technicians to perform remote data entry. This “emergency bill” will be effective upon signing. 
  • SB 678 – Requires Medicaid, CHIP, and commercial insurers to reimburse pharmacies for services within their scope of practice if the plan would otherwise cover. Effective Oct 1, 2023. 
  • HB 374– Clarifies that the statutory audit provisions in current audit law applies to PBMs (Pharmacy Benefits Managers) contracted with Managed Care Plans; adds new requirements that apply to all insurers and managed care; and requires PBMs to provide a secure electronic method of communication between the pharmacy and the PBM for sharing auditing information by Oct 2025. Provides that MIA (Maryland Insurance Administration) may promulgate rules. Effective Jan 1, 2024. 
  • HB 382 -Requires the MDH (Maryland Department of Health) (Maryland Department of Health) and Prescription Drug Advisory Board to complete a study on MCC claims around the costs of implementing a pharmacy reimbursement cost-based rate floor in the Medicaid Managed Care program. The study is due to the General Assembly in Oct 2023.  

NACDS thanks our state partners and members for their work to get these bills across the finish line. 

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

2023-04-28T12:05:19-04:00April 28, 2023|Maryland|

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