The Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts and weekly notices on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal.
- Update: Deferral Response Method via Medi-Cal Rx Provider Portal (December 8)
- Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-up for December 1-7 (December 8)
- Reinstatement Spotlight (December 8)
- Activation of Reject Code 16 – Medi-Cal Rx Program Integrity Update (December 5)
Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following:
- Family Mosaic Project is No Longer a Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan in San Francisco County, effective for dates of service on or after January 1, 2024
- Billing Update for COVID-19 Oral Medication Paxlovid
- Forthcoming Contracted Incontinence Supplies Program Updates
- Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine Authorization
Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy proposed modifications to the following. To view all documents associated with these proposed regulatory actions and other pending regulations, visit the board’s “Pending Regulations” webpage.
- Designation of Pharmacist-in-Charge
- Notice of Proposed Action
- Initial Statement of Reasons
- Proposed Text
- 45-Day Comment Period: November 17, 2023-January 2, 2024
- Temporary License for Military Spouses
- Modified Text
- 15-Day Comment Period: December 13, 2023-December 28, 2023
- Notice to Consumers
- Notice of Modified Text
- Modified Text
- 15-Day Comment Period: December 13, 2023-December 28, 2023
Also in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) appointed Sarah Brooks, as Chief Deputy Director of Health Care Programs at the Department of Health Care Services. Given the capacity to manage program growth and increased complexity of the programs, moving forward, the Chief Deputy Director for Health Care Programs and State Medicaid Director will be two separate roles. The Chief Deputy Director for Health Care Programs will focus on internal program implementation and operations in California’s health care programs, whereas the State Medicaid Director will focus on Medi-Cal policy development and relationships with its external partners, including the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Recruitment efforts are ongoing for a State Medicaid Director.
Finally in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced the launch of a new tool to continue the state’s efforts to fight the ongoing opioid crisis – a comprehensive website with resources for Californians: Opioids.CA.GOV. This website serves as a reliable source of information on prevention, data, treatment and support. Also, Californians can access information related to the state’s use of opioid settlement funds and efforts to hold drug-traffickers accountable.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.