Wisconsin
The State Assembly passed AB 114 pertaining to Pharmacy Benefit Management companies, key priority legislation for the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Wyoming
The Wyoming Retail Association testified in opposition to House Bill 143’s requirements to implement importation. Amendments to the bill turn it into a study.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Alaska
The Alaska Medicaid will hold a “scoping session” Friday, February 21, 2020 to discuss, among other pharmacy issues, the results of the recent cost of dispensing study and a timeline for including pharmacists as providers in the Medicaid portal. The meeting will be from 12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m. Alaska Standard Time. A copy of the notice can be found here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
California
The California Pharmacists Association (CPhA) announced that after a nationwide search, they hired former state legislator Susan Bonilla as their new President and Chief Executive Officer to run the largest statewide pharmacy association.
Also in California... The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced that they will not resume retroactive adjustments beginning February 10, 2020. The recoupment of pharmacy retroactive claim adjustments is paused until further notice.
Also in California... Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) named primary care doctor and former CEO for the Inland Empire Health Plan Bradley Gilbert as director of the state Department of Health Care Services, which administers California’s $104 billion Medi-Cal program. Gilbert will take over for Richard Figueroa, who will transition back to his primary role as deputy cabinet secretary.
Also in California... The Department of Health Care Services is hosting its third Medi-Cal Rx Public Forum in Sacramento on February 18, 2020 from 2- 3 PM to engage stakeholders in discussions on the Governor’s Executive Order N-01-19 which requires DHCS to transition pharmacy services for Medi-Cal managed care to fee-for-service (FFS) by January 1, 2021. DHCS will provide status updates about Medi-Cal Rx implementation activities and timelines. Please note that DHCS will only take questions and comments from those participants attending in person. Participants may also choose to join the meeting via webinar. To register for Medi-Cal Rx Public Forum February 18, 2020. For questions and/or comments, please email RxCarveOut@dhcs.ca.gov.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Colorado
Legislative Day at the Capitol in Tuesday, February 18, 2020.
Also in Colorado... The Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) provided an update on the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Benefit 1115 Waiver demonstration application pending at CMS. HCPF is also in the process of pursuing a State Plan Amendment to include residential and inpatient SUD treatment and withdrawal management services in Medicaid. HCPF convened the SUD Implementation Workgroup meeting in mid-January to discuss various issues including utilization management, care coordination, provider enrollment/billing, capacity development, provider training and support, etc., that need to be addressed prior to the introduction in July 2020 of Medicaid coverage for new SUD treatment benefits. For more information, go to the SUD website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Iowa
The Iowa Pharmacy Association issued a call to action for HSB 583, legislation expanding pharmacist immunization authority and statewide protocols for strep and flu, asking members living in the districts of the House Human Resources Committee to contact their legislators in support of the bill. NACDS submitted this letter to Committee leadership.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Louisiana
The Department of Health’s Medicaid Pharmacy Program announced that effective March 2020, MCOs will add a lock-in component.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Maine
NACDS supported the Retail Association of Maine legislative reception which focused on pending legislation including drug disposal and drug importation initiatives.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Michigan
The Department of Health and Human Services announced it would scrap its proposal. NACDS strongly supported the proposal and is engaging with in-state partners about potential next steps.
Also in Michigan… the Board of Pharmacy Rules Committee Work Group will meet on March 6 to discuss Pharmacy General Rules, Pharmacy Technician rules, and Animal Euthanasia and Sedation Rules. More information can be found here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Minnesota
The Department of Human Services announced that its State Plan Amendment was approved for the reimbursement methodology per the CMS Covered Outpatient Drugs Rule that became effective in Minnesota on July 1, 2019.
Also in Minnesota… the Minnesota Pharmacists Association is looking for co-chairs of its Professional and Organizational Affairs Committee. As described by MPhA, “This committee is working on a variety of professional and organizational issues to ensure that we are implementing legislation and providing guidance to the organization to continue to improve and follow the MPhA bylaws.” For more information, please contact sarahd@mpha.org.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Missouri
The Board of Pharmacy will host a webinar on February 20, 2020 at 12 pm Central to provide a regulatory update. Click here for more information and to register.
Also in Missouri… the Missouri Pharmacy Association’s Legislative Day will be held on April 1 in Jefferson City.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Nebraska
The Health and Human Services Committee is scheduled to hear LB 1065, NACDS-introduced legislation to expand technician duties, on February 27, at 1:30 pm in Lincoln. NACDS is seeking pharmacists and technicians to testify in support of the bill, especially those living in the 33rd District of bill sponsor Senator Steve Halloran.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
New Mexico
With less than a week remaining in the 30-day legislative session, NACDS has sent an RxIMPACT Action Alert to members encouraging them to contact their state senator urging passage of HB 42, Rep. Deborah Armstrong’s payment parity bill that creates the opportunity for more community pharmacies to improve patient access to care. NACDS joined the National Community Pharmacists Association, American Pharmacists Association, National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations, and American Society of Health System Pharmacists in a letter of support to legislative leadership. The University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy and students have been activity engaged at the Capitol. They created and excellent video in support of HB 42, the payment parity bill.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
New York
NACDS met with a dozen key state legislators this week to urge their support for the expansion of pharmacist authority to administer immunizations.
Also in New York... NACDS joined the New York pharmacy sector in discussions with the New York State Department of Health on Governor Cuomo’s budget proposal which would slash $2 billion from Medicaid. The Budget must be approved by April 1.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Pennsylvania
A bill that would preempt municipalities from establishing separate Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMP) has been signed by Gov. Tom Wolf (D). SB 432, began as a bill increasing access to the state PDMP, was amended by Rep. Seth Grove (R), due to members’ concern about the City of Philadelphia passing a law in December requiring pharmacies to report to a new city based PDMP. Now enacted, it will preempt Philadelphia from implementing their PDMP statute. NACDS thanks the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drug Stores efforts on the ground to address the issue.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Rhode Island
This week NACDS submitted a memo in support of HB 7073 which allows pharmacists to prescribe and dispense hormonal contraceptive patches and self-administered oral hormonal contraceptives.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
South Carolina
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) is beginning 2020 provider revalidation. In the bulletin dated April 20, 2015, providers were informed their enrollment information must be revalidated, per the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). To avoid risk of termination in the Healthy Connections Medicaid program, impacted providers must complete and submit an enrollment application 30 days from the date of their official revalidation notification letter. Providers should NOT begin the revalidation process until they receive notification. The notification contains pertinent information needed to start and complete the revalidation process.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Tennessee
NACDS provided analysis to members and in-state partners on HB.2688, which would require that health plans, pharmacy benefits managers, and pharmacies will make available a patient’s specific prescription cost and benefit information in real-time for usage in a healthcare provider’s prescribing or electronic health record system at the point of prescribing and at the point of dispensing.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Virginia
- HB 1506 and SB 1026, bills that would expand pharmacists’ scope of practice have been voted favorable out of their respective chamber of origin, meeting the General Assembly’s bill crossover deadline. NACDS has been on the ground with allies and in-state partners in Richmond to promote their advancement. We will continue to support those efforts in the second half of the legislative session as the bills are considered by the opposite chambers.
- SB 830 and HB 1304 also advanced beyond their chambers this week and will be eligible for passage in the opposing chamber. These bills would require pharmacy technicians to receive accredited training and certification
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Washington
Mid-way through the 2020 Legislative Session there are a number of pharmacy-related bills still making their way through the process: House Bill 2251 extends the reporting requirement when dispensing biosimilars to 2025; Substitute House Bill 2438 imposes a 1 cent per MME on manufacturers if more than 100,000 MME’s are dispensed within a quarter; 2nd Substitute Senate Bill 5601 address health care benefit managers including PBM’s; Substitute Senate Bill 6086 addresses pharmacy remote dispensing; 2nd Substitute Senate Bill 6087 limits co-payments and cost-sharing to patients on insulin to $100 per month; and Substitute Senate Bill 6113 creates a central insulin purchasing program which includes among others an independent and a chain pharmacist on the work group.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
West Virginia
SB 544, legislation that amends the West Virginia Code to allow the Board of Pharmacy to promulgate regulations to expand pharmacists and pharmacy interns authority to administer vaccine, has passed the Senate and is scheduled for a hearing this week in the House Health and Human Resources Committee. Specifically, it allows pharmacists and pharmacist interns to administer immunizations in accordance with CDC guidelines to adults and children between 11-17 years of age by prescription.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Wisconsin
The Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin (PSW) is seeking technicians to serve as Board or Committee members for its new Technician Section Board. As described by PSW, “The board and committee meet periodically to discuss technician advancement and provide a voice for the technician profession.” Interested technicians can get involved here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
Alabama
The Legislature convened on Tuesday, February 4, 2020
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
California
At the January 2020 Board of Pharmacy meeting, Anne Sodergren was hired as the Board’s Executive Officer.
Also in California... In response to the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announcement that they would be reinstituting the Medi-Cal reimbursement clawback process effective February 10, 2020, that has been on hold since June 14, 2019, the California Pharmacist Association (CPhA) intends to file for a temporary restraining order this week against DHCS to suspend the clawbacks on pharmacies who serve Medi-Cal patients.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Iowa
The Iowa Pharmacy Association’s scope of practice legislation was not advanced by a Subcommittee of the Human Resources Committee after hearing from proponents and opponents of the bill. The legislation seeks to expand pharmacist immunization authority and establish statewide protocol for point of care testing for flu and streptococcus A.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.