All previously published expiration dates related to the COVID-19 emergency are once again extended by the Alabama Medicaid Agency (Medicaid). The new expiration date is the earlier of April 30, 2022, the conclusion of the COVID-19 national emergency, or any expiration date noticed by Medicaid through a subsequent alert.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Since methamphetamine is currently the states’ greatest drug threat, the Department of Human Services (DHS) launched the “Me Over Meth” prevention campaign.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Board of Pharmacy issued an Amended Waiver: Staffing Ratio of Pharmacists to Intern Pharmacists and General Supervision and Interprofessional Supervision – Immunizations – BPC section 4114.
Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services issued Stakeholder News that it is still accepting claims for individuals enrolled in the COVID-19 Uninsured Group Program. The COVID-19 Uninsured Group Program will end the last day of the calendar month in which the federal COVID-19 public health emergency ends. For questions or concerns, please email COVID19Apps@dhcs.ca.gov.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
SB (Senate Bill) 3140, legislation requiring the holder of a controlled substances registration to report theft, embezzlement, fraud, or diversion of a controlled substance immediately, is advancing having passed the Senate earlier this month. This week, the House Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee recommended passage on the Second Reading and referral to Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Board of Pharmacy published the following final rules effective April 27:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
MO HealthNet (Medicaid) issued an Opioid Policy update strengthening clinical policies and expanding coverage of non-opioid medications and services to treat chronic pain. MO HealthNet believes in a comprehensive approach to treating and managing pain while also reducing the risk of patient harm, continuing to encourage providers to evaluate non-opioid options to treat patient pain.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) signed into law LB 767, creating the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Licensure and Regulation Act. This act “…establishes the standards and criteria for the licensure and regulation of pharmacy benefit managers….” The effective date is January 1, 2023.
Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services issued a “Health Alert Network Advisory” about increasing incidence of syphilis in the state.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) announced that she will call a special session April 5th to address taxpayer relief from high gas prices and a spending bill that the Governor vetoed at the end of the regular session.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH) announced the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approval of New York’s section 1115(a) demonstration waiver. This approval is effective from April 1, 2022 through March 31, 2027. In accordance with federal guidelines, the State has 30 days to accept the related Standard Terms and Conditions (STCs), which is an operating agreement between the State and CMS.
The NYSDOH 1115(a) waiver request included a white paper which structured the waiver request proposal around four subsidiary goals:
The CMS approval letter can be found on the NYS DOH website here.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.