Iowa
The Board of Pharmacy posted its agenda and meeting materials for the October 25 meeting. The meeting will be held via Zoom and in-person at the Board of Pharmacy office.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Louisiana
Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) appointed several members to serve on the Board of Pharmacy — independent pharmacist Richard Mannino and Walmart pharmacist Jennifer Dupree.
Also in Louisiana, Medicaid continues to enroll providers who have missed the September 30, 2022, deadline.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Massachusetts
Effective December 19, 2022, MassHealth will make it mandatory for certain designated generic drugs, other designated low-net-cost drugs and drugs listed as preferred in the Brand Name Preferred section of the MassHealth Drug List to be dispensed in a 90-day supply. These drugs will be designated on the MassHealth Drug List A-Z list with a footnote of M90. Policy details can be found here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
New York
On Tuesday, October 18, 2022, the New York State Department of Health (DOH) hosted a public online seminar about the transition of the pharmacy benefit from Medicaid Managed Care to NYRx, the Medicaid Fee-For-Service (FFS) pharmacy program. A copy of the presentation is now available. Valuable information and resources for Medicaid members and providers are also available on the DOH pharmacy transition website. Questions about the transition should be directed to NYRx@health.ny.gov. Please include “Pharmacy Benefit Transition” in the subject line.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Nebraska
On October 13, the Department of Health, and Human Services (HHS) posted the COVID-19 Fee Schedule Bivalent Booster Update.
Also in Nebraska, the HHS posted the Aducamumab (Aduhelm) prior authorization form for Fee-for-Service to its website.
Finally in Nebraska, the Credentialing Review (407) Program will meet on October 26 regarding Pharmacy Technicians. The agenda has been posted on the Credential Review (407) Pharmacy Technician webpage.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Pennsylvania
Sen. Ryan Aument’s (R) bill allowing the Auditor General to conduct a full-scale audit of subcontracts with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in Medicaid Managed Care unanimously passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee this week and is expected to be considered by the full Senate next week.
Also in Pennsylvania, the Office of Medical Assistance Programs has issued a new bulletin regarding billing and payment for the Moderna SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Booster. This bulletin as well as past bulletins can be found on DHS’ Bulletin search page.
Finally in Pennsylvania, the Board of Pharmacy has posted the agenda for the November 1 meeting.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Tennessee
In collaboration with researchers at the UTHSC College of Pharmacy and grant support from Genentech, Tennessee Pharmacy Association would like to share an opportunity for community-based/outpatient pharmacies to enroll in a study investigating pharmacists’ management of influenza using point-of-care testing. Click here to learn more and enroll.
Also in Tennessee, updated versions of the Preferred Drug List (PDL), criteria PDL and interim criteria PDL are available, as well as the monthly provider notice for October 2022. Below is a summary of the updates:
- The following agents will be added to the PDL as non-preferred:
- Adlarity, Bylvay, Epsolay, Livmarli, Livtencity, Norliqva, Opzelura, Rezurock, Skytrofa, Tavneos, Tarpeyo, Triumeq PD
- Clinical criteria and/or quantity limits will be updated for the following agents:
- Nubeqa, Nucala, Olumiant, Skyrizi
- The following agents will be added to the interim criteria PDL:
- Radicava ORS, Vtama
- Proventil HFA will be moved to preferred on the PDL in response to marketing discontinuation of Proair HFA
Updates to clinical criteria/quantity limits from the Q3 PAC meeting will also became effective on October 1 and were summarized in the September provider notice.
These documents are available on the TennCare website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Texas
The Board of Pharmacy’s posted the agenda for the November 1 meeting.
Also in Texas, save the date for the next PMP Advisory Committee remote Zoom meeting on December 1. Information will be posted on the Board of Pharmacy’s Committee & Task Force Meetings webpage as it becomes available.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Virginia
The COVID-19 Standing Order has been updated to include the most recently authorized bivalent boosters
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.