Nebraska
The Department of Health and Human Services posted the agenda for the September 9 meeting of the Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
New York
The Office of Health Insurance Programs of the State Department of Health has approved the release of the June 2025 Medicaid Update. The current issue’s table of contents includes the following:
All Providers
- New York State Recipient Restriction Program and Health Home Care Management Program Services (Cover)
- New York State Department of Health Announces New Advisory Boards: Medicaid Advisory Committee and Beneficiary Advisory Council
- Notification of Pregnancy to Medicaid Managed Care Plans
- New York State Office of the Medicaid Inspector General to Perform Compliance Program Reviews Using a 12-Month Review Period
Policy and Billing
- Payment Error Rate Measurement Upcoming Request for New York State Medicaid Provider Documentation
- Update and Reminder: Medicaid Policy on Loss of Records Due to Unforeseen Events
Pharmacy
- Notice for Upcoming Over-the-Counter Coverage Changes
- Attention Providers: Disclosure of Ownership and Control Information
Also in New York, the July Department of Health (DOH) Pharmacy Association meeting shared the updated form for NYRx, the New York State Medicaid Pharmacy Program Coordination of Benefits: Non-Preferred Diabetic Supplies, as discussed in the July Department of Health (DOH), Office of Health Insurance Programs (OHIP) and Pharmacy Associations meeting. The update is also located on the DOH website in the Medical Supplies section under Preferred Diabetic Supply Program (PDSP).
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Mike Sargent at 207-272-6435.
North Carolina
With no full budget agreement in sight, state lawmakers reached a deal on a 31-page mini-budget, HB 125: Continuing Budget Operations, which now heads to Gov. Josh Stein (D). The bill allocates over $1 billion in funding, including step increases for public school teachers, support for K-12 growth and Medicaid rebase funding, critical dollars needed annually to cover changing Medicaid costs.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Oregon
The Division of Financial Regulation recently announced the following permanent rulemaking that took effect on August 1:
ID 6-2025: Updates to Pharmacy Benefit Manager Rules and DPT Insurer Reporting Rule
Rules: 836-053-1630, 836-200-0401, 836-200-0406, 836-200-0411, 836-200-0416, 836-200-0418, 836-200-0421, 836-200-0436, 836-200-0440
This rulemaking replaces references to registration throughout the current rules, encoded at OAR 836- 200-0401 et seq with references to licensure. It also adds new data elements to the reporting rule and new market conduct requirements. It also adds language clarifying the bar on retaliation against pharmacies, noting that a pharmacy claims audit may be considered retaliation under certain circumstances. Finally, the rulemaking includes substantial revisions to the language related to pharmacy reimbursement in order to clarify expectations for PBMs when a pharmacy is reimbursed below acquisition cost under a maximum allowable cost schedule.
Also in Oregon, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board posted its draft agenda for the August 20 meeting. Register in advance.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Rhode Island
See the August 2025 provider update, which includes information on upcoming Pharmacy & Therapeutics (P&T) Committee and Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board meetings scheduled for September 9 at the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) office in Cranston as well as upcoming payment and processing schedules. Additional provider updates can also be found on the EOHHS website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
South Carolina
US Rep. Nancy Mace (R) announced her candidacy for governor this week at The Citadel, where she made history as the first female graduate. She enters a crowded Republican primary field that already includes US Rep. Ralph Norman, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, Attorney General Alan Wilson and state Sen. Josh Kimbrell.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Tennessee
During the July Board of Pharmacy meeting, the Office of the General Counsel announced that the new pharmacy technician rules are expected to take effect around October 21. Additionally, a rulemaking hearing on compounding regulations is anticipated to be scheduled later this year or early next year. The Board’s October meeting has been rescheduled to October 20 and 21.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Texas
The 30-day special legislative session entered its third week with high drama, as Democrat lawmakers fled the state to prevent Republicans from holding a vote in the House on a new congressional map that was approved by the House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting. The Democrats face a $500 fine for every day they break quorum. The Texas House voted 85-6 on August 4 to track down and arrest more than 50 Democrat lawmakers. House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R) signed civil warrants, empowering the House sergeant-at-arms and state troopers to arrest and bring them to the Capitol.
Also in Texas, Diabetes News You Can Use is a free news bulletin from the Department of State Health Services (DSHS). It is compiled by the Diabetes Prevention and Control Program and highlights information and news related to diabetes.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Utah
The Board of Pharmacy published its August 2025 newsletter including the following items of interest: New Online Toolkit Supports Utah Pharmacists in Managing CS [Controlled Substances] and 2025 Utah Pharmacy Law Update: Therapeutic Interchange and Expanded Pharmacist Authority.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Washington
The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) will hold a regular business meeting beginning on August 14. They posted the agenda and meeting materials.
Also in Washington, PQAC released a draft rule for utilization of pharmacy ancillary personnel. The rules workshop will be held at the August 14 meeting. The draft rule language considers amending WAC 246-945-001, -315, and -317 and adding two new sections in chapter 246-945 WAC to provide clarification on the utilization of ancillary personnel and technology within the pharmacy.
Finally in Washington, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) Advisory Group will meet on August 12 to discuss these agenda items.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
West Virginia
NACDS reminds members that SB 526, the “Pharmacists Prescribing Authority Act” was effective July 11, 2025, and allows pharmacists to test and treat patients for flu, RSV and COVID under their own authority. The law does not require rules. Further details on this law, as well as other new laws and rules, are available in the West Virginia Pharmacists Association July newsletter.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Alabama
The Medicaid Agency (Medicaid) is required to conduct administrative desk reviews to ensure providers are following state policies and practices that comply with federal regulations. Medicaid coordinates with SafeGuard Services, LLC (SGS), a Unified Program Integrity Contractor (UPIC) working with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). SGS performs fraud, waste and abuse detection, deterrence and prevention activities for Medicaid claims through administrative desk reviews. See Medicaid’s ALERTs for details.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Arizona
The Board of Pharmacy published its July 2025 newsletter including the following articles and items of interest: Update Your Profile, Be on Alert – Scam Letters and/or Phone Calls, Thank You for Serving – Cedar Lahann and Kevin Dang, Welcome to the Board – Christopher Hogan and Stephanie Spark, Understanding ARS §20-1742: Malpractice Reporting Requirements in Arizona, 2025 Legislative Update and Bills Signed Into Law and Disciplinary Actions and Update – Health Boards.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Arkansas
On July 28,a federal judge for the US District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas Central Division granted a preliminary injunction to stop the implementation of HB 1150/Act 624, a state law prohibiting out-of-state PBMs from operating pharmacies inside the state, due to take effect on January 1, 2026. The reason given in the court order was because it likely violates the Commerce Clause, and it is likely preempted by TRICARE.
Also in Arkansas, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved a new section 1115 demonstration titled "Arkansas Opportunities to Test Transition-Related Strategies to Support Community Reentry from Incarceration and Institutions for Mental Disease." It allows the state to receive federal financial participation (FFP) for Medicaid state plan services provided to adult beneficiaries who are in institutions for mental disease (IMD) for substance use disorder (SUD) or serious mental illness (SMI) treatment.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
California
On June 19, the Board of Pharmacy (Board) received notification from the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) that the Board's compounding regulation changes were approved. The Notice of Approval provides that the new regulations will become effective on October 1.
As required by law, the Board conducted a comprehensive review of its compounding regulations and identified necessary changes after United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) General Chapters became compendial. These efforts resulted in the Board voting, as part of its April 2023 Board meeting, to promulgate new regulations. Since that time, and after five formal comment periods, a regulation hearing and extensive review and discussion over the course of multiple public meetings, the Board completed the formal rulemaking process. With the recent approval by the OAL of the updated compounding regulations promulgated by the Board, the Board wishes to update its stakeholders on its policy related to licensees transitioning to the updated USP General Chapters and updated regulations.
During this intervening period, the Board encourages licensees to continue transitioning to the new standards established in USP and to take steps to establish compliance with the Board's updated regulations.
Source: View the policy statement. Revised July 28.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Colorado
The Department of Health Care Policy & Financing l(HCPF) is hosting its annual virtual Stakeholder Webinar on August 12 from 9:00 am to 11:00am MT. Leaders will discuss emerging federal threats to Medicaid, state budget challenges, Medicaid cost trend drivers and HCPF's priorities for fiscal year 2025-2026.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Indiana
The Pharmacy Access for Contraceptives for Hoosiers (PATCH), a grant program for pharmacies who have or are planning to implement contraceptive prescribing services, expired on July 30.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Kansas
The Board of Pharmacy is seeking a pharmacist to volunteer to serve on the Collaborative Drug Therapy Management Committee to review the current statewide protocols for testing and initiation of therapy for influenza, acute group A strep and acute uncomplicated UTI in women. Interested parties must submit a resume and letter of interest to pharmacy@ks.gov by September 2.
Also in Kansas, the University of Kansas School of Medicine – Wichita, the Kansas Hospital Association and DCCCA, are conducting a study designed to improve access to substance use disorder (SUD) care aimed at identifying the barriers to treating individuals with SUDs.
Finally, the Board of Pharmacy adopted several new rules at the July 11 meeting, which will go into effect in August 2025.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Louisiana
The Board of Pharmacy adopted new requirements for the Pharmacist-in-Charge (PIC), that were effective on June 20. The amended rule reduces the minimum experience requirement for a pharmacist to qualify as a PIC from two years to one year of active pharmacy practice, and it expands the responsibility for the supervision, management and regulatory compliance of the entire prescription department to include both the PIC and the owner of the pharmacy permit.
Also in Louisiana, the Board of Pharmacy published the July 2025 newsletter.
Finally, the Board of Pharmacy released the July 2025 Advisory Council update on the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP).
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Michigan
Medicaid is seeking new applicants to serve on its newly reimagined Medicaid Advisory Committee (MAC). Specifically, they are encouraging individuals who have experience with Medicaid as an advocate, community leader or direct service provider to apply.
Applications will be accepted until 5:00 pm on August 8. Visit the Online Application to learn more and apply. Questions can be directed to MDHHS-MAC@michigan.gov.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Missouri
The Board of Pharmacy reminded pharmacy technicians that effective August 4 pharmacy technician applications must be submitted via the MOPRO online licensing portal and that paper applications will no longer be available. MOPRO is the new licensure system for the Division of Professional Registration.
Also in Missouri, registration is open for the August 19 virtual Noon "Lunch with the Chief Inspector" update on pharmacy technicians.
Also in Missouri, the Health Department (MHD) launched a self-service feature on the Pharmacy and Medical Pre-Certification Helpdesk Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system for prior authorization (PA) requests for drugs. This enhancement allows pharmacies and providers to check the status of faxed drug PA requests instantly. To use this feature, providers will need their National Provider Identifier (NPI), the participant's MO HealthNet ID (DCN) and the date the request was faxed.
Finally in Missouri, the 2025 Pharmacy Practice Guide was recently updated.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Nebraska
As a reminder, LB 118 (Statute 38-2866.01), increasing the pharmacist-to-pharmacy technician ratio to permit a pharmacist to supervise any combination of pharmacy technicians and pharmacist interns up to four people, is effective September 3. Also recall, for any pharmacist supervising four pharmacy technicians or pharmacist interns, at least one person must be a certified pharmacy technician.
Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the first round of Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) benefits, issued on April 23, 2025, will be expiring on August 23, 2025. Summer EBT funds can be used to purchase nutritious foods at grocery stores, online food retailers, and farmer's markets that accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) EBT.
Finally in Nebraska, the Board of Pharmacy published its draft minutes from the July 14 meeting. The next Board of Pharmacy meeting is scheduled for September 8.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
South Carolina
The PEBA, the state agency responsible for the administration and management of the state’s retirement systems and employee insurance programs for the state’s public workforce, awarded the contract for pharmacy benefits management services to CVS Caremark. Beginning January 1, 2026, CVS Caremark will replace Express Scripts as the PBM for the State Health Plan. The initial contract term is two years with three one-year renewal options, for a maximum contract term of five years.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Tennessee
Effective August 1, TennCare will no longer enforce the five prescription limit per month on prescription drugs and refills for adult TennCare enrollees; however, the two brand prescription limit per month will remain in effect. Members may exceed the two brand monthly prescription limit by utilizing the products on the Auto-Exempt and Attestation List. As a reminder, the limit starts over at the first of each month. No changes will be made to the CoverRx and CoverKids programs. TennCare Pharmacy Updates are available online.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Texas
The Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) issued guidance for the emergency dispensing of prescription medications as a result of flooding in the Texas Hill Country.
Also in Texas, the 30-day special legislative session entered its second week. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) and Speaker Dustin Burrows (R) announced the formation of House and Senate Select Committees on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding. These committees are holding hearings on improving flood warning systems, enhancing flood emergency communications, providing relief funding for the Hill Country Floods and preparing for and recovering from natural disasters. Additionally, Patrick and Burrows appointed 21 members to the newly established House and Senate Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting.
Finally in Texas, the Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) reminded licensed pharmacists and pharmacy technicians that they are required to complete an approved Human Trafficking Prevention course each renewal period. Please see the full list of newly approved courses on the Texas Health and Human Services webpage.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.