In The States – Page 136 – Weekly news about states

Nebraska

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will launch a new iServe Nebraska portal on January 27 that will serve as an easy-to-use system for individuals to apply to get help with food, heat, electricity, healthcare, childcare, and other essential needs. Individuals may apply for a single benefit or more at the same time. Also, starting March 1, DHHS will review each Medicaid member’s current eligibility. Members who are no longer eligible for Medicaid will have their information forwarded to the federal marketplace for follow-up about other coverage options.

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

Michael Silber2023-01-27T10:10:06-05:00January 27, 2023|Nebraska|

Ohio

The next payment for the Supplemental (managed care) dispensing fee (as pharmacy commonly refer to it) is scheduled to be paid to pharmacies between February 1-15. This is the first payment of the fee for 2023 and since the October 1 implementation of the SPBM. Under the SPBM, the payments will run as a special financial cycle and will appear on the non-Claim 835. You can identify these payments on your Remittance Advice by the reason code of 9638 – “QtrSuppDispFee.” For more information, please see the FAQ ODM was issued this week. The supplemental fee expires in June 2023, as it was meant to be a stopgap to assist pharmacies while the SPBM system was being developed.

Also in Ohio, NACDS submitted a comment letter to the Common Sense Initiative (CSI) regarding the Board of Pharmacy’s proposed rule that would allow pharmacy technicians to administer vaccines. The letter expresses pharmacy’s strong support for the bill but asks that the CSI recommend that the Board remove the ratio for technician vaccinators and align the training requirement hours with the PREP Act.

Finally in Ohio, the Department of Medicaid posted Myers & Stauffer’s 2022 Pharmacy Cost of Dispensing Survey report. NACDS is currently analyzing the report that found that the cost to dispense increased since 2022. They reported a weighted mean of $9.46 and a weighted median of $8.44 as the cost to dispense for non-specialty providers.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Michael Silber2023-01-27T10:09:27-05:00January 27, 2023|Ohio|

Pennsylvania

The General Assembly’s joint Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) finally released its study of Pharmaceutical Pricing in the Commonwealth’s Medicaid managed care program this week. The study was mandated by the passage of HB 941 of 2021, legislation that required key reforms to PBM practices in the program. These included prohibiting clawbacks, increasing transparency and eliminating spread pricing. Though LBFC cited they had difficulty accessing key data, the report makes several recommendations to the General Assembly to tighten up current law, increase pricing transparency and enforce the requirement for the release of data. NACDS is working with the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drug Stores (PACDS), the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association and other allies to advocate for legislation to address these issues.

Also in Pennsylvania, the Board of Pharmacy released its January 31 meeting agenda. Please note they will be discussing the proposed Pharmacy Technician Rules.

Finally in Pennsylvania, Medicaid issued a Bulletin with updated billing instructions for the COVID-19 bivalent booster, and Magellan announced updates and enhancements to PACE/PACENET web portal, including its embedded software applications and tools.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Michael Silber2023-01-27T10:08:27-05:00January 27, 2023|Pennsylvania|

South Carolina

After evaluating utilization data and consulting with the state’s managed care organizations (MCOs), the provider community and other stakeholders, SCDHHS (South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services) is announcing updates to the policy changes it previously issued. The updates announced in this bulletin are specific to the temporary flexibilities that were created during the COVID-19 PHE (Public Health Emergency) and do not impact other agency policies that existed prior to the PHE unless specifically indicated. The changes announced today will take effect once the current federal PHE has expired. While the exact end-date is not yet known, providers are advised that the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services previously announced that the federal PHE will remain in effect until at least April 11.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

Michael Silber2023-01-27T10:07:39-05:00January 27, 2023|South Carolina|

Tennessee

The Division of TennCare invites you to our virtual Annual Feedback Session for the Episodes of Care Program on March 23. This Session is open to all stakeholders to share successes, ask questions and give feedback to improve program design. The entire session is anticipated to take approximately one hour; however, the session will conclude when all feedback is given. This is a free event, although registration is required. Click HERE to register.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

Michael Silber2023-01-27T10:06:41-05:00January 27, 2023|Tennessee|

Texas

Lt. Governor Dan Patrick announced the Senate Committee assignments this week.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Michael Silber2023-01-27T10:06:01-05:00January 27, 2023|Texas|

Virginia

Two companion bills that would allow pharmacists to test and treat under a statewide Board of Pharmacy protocol have advanced in their respective chambers. HB 2274 is poised for a vote on the House floor and SB 948 passed the Senate unanimously. The bills add the authority for pharmacists to test and treat for Flu, Strep, COVID and UTIs to the existing ten conditions/therapies that pharmacist can currently treat. However, opposition from the medical community to the UTI provision drove 10 negative votes in the House Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee, with the bill just squeaking out of committee with 11 favorable votes. NACDS has been working closely with in-state partners and members to advance these practice advancements over the last several sessions and issued an RxImpact Alert this week encouraging outreach to House members prior to the upcoming floor vote.

Also in Virginia, the Board of Pharmacy published a reminder that pharmacists must obtain at least two (2) hours of continuing education (CE) in 2023 on the following subjects related to opioids: medications for opioid use disorder (OUD), including methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone, naloxone or any other drug indicated for OUD. The CE must be obtained between January 1 and December 31. Inquiries may be directed to pharmbd@dhp.virginia.gov

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Michael Silber2023-01-27T10:05:23-05:00January 27, 2023|Virginia|

West Virginia

HB 2754, legislation that would codify pharmacy immunization authority to match that of the PREP Act has advanced. HB 2754 deletes the prescription requirement for children’s vaccines and allows pharmacy technicians to immunize. The bill received swift committee approval, overwhelmingly passed the House (90-5) and has been referred to the Senate Health and Human Resources.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Michael Silber2023-01-27T10:04:46-05:00January 27, 2023|West Virginia|

Wisconsin

The Department of Health Services announced February 2023 will be the last month families will receive extra benefits in the state’s FoodShare program as a result of enactment of Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, passed by the U.S. Congress in late December. This act ends a federal program that has been providing additional benefits to households enrolled in the FoodShare program.

For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.

Michael Silber2023-01-27T10:00:46-05:00January 27, 2023|Wisconsin|