Colorado
Gov. Jared Polis (D) named House Speaker Alec Garnett as his new chief of staff.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Indiana
The Indiana Health Coverage Programs will host an online seminar on December 1 to discuss provider notices published during November.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Iowa
The Department of Health and Human Services, Iowa Medicaid published INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO. 2402-MC-FFS announcing the November Towns Halls will be held on Thursday, December 1, 2022, due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Visit the website for details, including registration information.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Louisiana
The Board of Pharmacy held their quarterly meeting on November 17.
Also in Louisiana, Medicaid announced that another Managed Care Organization (MCO), Humana Healthy Horizons, will be added effective January 1, 2023, offering services to Medicaid recipients. The Medicaid Pharmacy Program will now consist of Medicaid Fee-for-Service (FFS) and six managed care organizations (Aetna, AmeriHealth Caritas, Healthy Blue, Humana Healthy Horizons, Louisiana Healthcare Connections, and UnitedHealthcare).
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Massachusetts
A new standing order for over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 diagnostic tests has been developed by the Department of Public Health in accordance with M.G.L. c. 94C, s. 19A, which authorizes the issuance of standing orders for licensed pharmacists to dispense a COVID-19 control measures. This standing order is now in effect and should be utilized going forward. Please be aware that the January 14, 2022, Standing Order for Dispensing Over the Counter (OTC) Diagnostic Tests for SARS-CoV-2 is no longer in effect and may no longer be used.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Minnesota
The Department of Health and published its weekly COVID Vaccine Provider Update. Please note you can also link to past updates and sign up to receive future updates in your email on the same page.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Missouri
Quantity limits for albuterol inhalers and nebulizer solutions went into effect on August 28. Adults are now limited to 3 albuterol inhalers (300 rescue doses) every 180 days. Participants of all ages are limited to 120 vials every 2 months. If a provider feels a patient needs albuterol inhalers or nebulizer solutions more than these limits, a letter of medical necessity and progress notes will need to be submitted.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
New York
The Department of Health (DOH) has established a webpage with information and resources for pharmacies regarding the transition of the pharmacy benefit from Managed Care to NYRx. The page will be updated regularly. You can also email the DOH with questions about this issue by putting “pharmacy benefit transition” in the subject line. To sign up for the Medicaid Redesign LISTSERV, please click here.
Also in New York, the DOH issued changes to the prior authorization process and an updated preferred drug list for the NYRx program, effective November 17, 2022.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Ohio
The SPBM (Single Pharmacy Benefit Manager), Gainwell Technologies, sent a communication to pharmacies this week detailing claim recoupments that are planned in the next few weeks to compensate for overpayments in the first three weeks of the migration to the new Medicaid managed care pharmacy system.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.