California

The Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts to the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal: 

• Clarification of Temporary Prior Authorization (PA) Policy Change (February 21) 
• Medi-Cal Rx Drug Lookup Tool and Contract Drugs List Tips (February 24) 
• Medi-Cal Rx Provider Portal Troubleshooting and Support (February 24) 
• Remdesivir (Veklury) for Outpatient Treatment of COVID-19 (February 24) 
• Required Documentation for Claim and Prior Authorization Support (February 24) 

 Also in California, COVID-19 related news highlighted below: 

• Governor Newsom Unveils SMARTER Plan Charting California’s Path Forward on Nation-Leading Pandemic Response 
• California SMARTER – The Next Phase of California’s COVID-19 Response 
• County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health Order of the Health Officer (Revised February 23, 2022) 

 Finally in California, the Department of Health Care Services is proposing a budget trailer bill language to require Medi-Cal pharmacy providers to maintain records for ten years, consistent with federal law.  The current requirement in the state is three years. DHCS prepared this fact sheet about the proposal.     

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