The Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts, weekly notices, and monthly bulletin on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal. Please note the “Pharmacy Provider Dispensing Fee Self-Attestation.” This will be the final opportunity to attest for the upcoming fiscal year 2024-2025. All attestations must be received by May 31 to be accepted. Attestations will not be accepted after closing on May 31; no exceptions.
- Medi-Cal Weekly Wrap-up for April 26-May 2 (May 3)
- Medical Supplies: Updates to the Billing Policy for Contracted Blood Pressure Monitoring Devices and Cuffs (May 2)
- Removal of Appendix H – List of Physician Administered Drugs with Reject Code 816 (May 1)
- Availability of Extencilline on the Medi-Cal Rx Contract Drugs List (May 1)
- Reminder Billing Tips: Non-Covered Medical Supplies (May 1)
- Medi-Cal Rx Monthly Bulletin for May (May 1)
- Changes to the Medi-Cal Rx Contract Drugs List (May 1)
- Changes to the Medi-Cal Rx Pharmacy Reimbursable Physician Administered Drugs (May 1)
- Changes to the Medi-Cal Rx Contract Drugs List – Over-the-Counter Drugs and Cough/Cold Preparations (May 1)
- Changes to the Medi-Cal Rx Contract Drugs List – Authorized Drug Manufacturer Labeler Codes (May 1)
- Updates to the Medi-Cal Rx Provider Manual (May 1)
- Pharmacy Provider Dispensing Fee Self-Attestation (April 30)
- Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-up for April 19-25 (April 26)
- How to Address Reject Code 80 – Diagnosis Code Submitted Does Not Need to Meet Drug Coverage Criteria (April 23)
- Closure of Latimer’s Pharmacy in Los Molinos and Old Time Drugs in Corning, Tehama County (April 19)
Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following:
- April 2024 Pharmacy Medi-Cal Update Bulletin
- April 2024 Durable Medical Equipment and Medical Supplies Medi-Cal Update Bulletin
Also in California, NACDS and the California Community Pharmacy Coalition, a project of the California Retailers Association, testified before the California Senate Business, Professions & Economic Development Committee in support of SB 1365, legislation expanding the pharmacist to pharmacy technician ratio to 1:6. The bill was amended changing the ratio from 1:6 to 1:4 and passed out of committee.
Also in California, NACDS submitted a support letter for SB 966, PBM reform legislation to the Senate Appropriations Committee in advance of the hearing scheduled for May 13. SB 966 includes provisions that would prohibit the use of “spread pricing”. The bill would also provide other vital reforms, including requiring 100% pass-through of manufacturer rebates to plan sponsors to keep patient premiums low, prohibiting the steering of patients to PBM-affiliated pharmacies, and requires PBMs to obtain a license to operate in the state.
Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy proposed modifications to the following:
- Title 16 CCR § 1760, and the Disciplinary Guidelines, incorporated by reference. Any person who wishes to comment on the proposed modifications may do so by submitting written comments beginning April 29, 2024, and ending on May 14, 2024.
- Notice of Proposed Action
- Initial Statement of Reasons
- Proposed Text
- Disciplinary Guidelines
- Notice of Modified Text
- Modified Text
- Modified Disciplinary Guidelines
- Title 16 CCR § 1709.1, related to the Designation of Pharmacist-in-Charge. Any person who wishes to comment on the proposed modifications may do so by submitting written comments beginning April 29, 2024, and ending on May 14, 2024.
- Notice of Proposed Action
- Initial Statement of Reasons
- Proposed Text
- Notice of Modified Text
- Modified Text
Finally in California, the Board of Pharmacy has released a Notice of Proposed Action to amend Article 4.5, add Articles 4.6, 4.7, and 4.8, and repeal Article 7 of Title 16, Division 17, of the California Code of Regulations related to Compounded Drug Preparations. The Board will accept comments on the proposed text through June 3.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.