The State Department of Health released a notice of reminders to pharmacy providers in case of severe weather events. These include drug storage, vaccines for children, drug delivery and NYRx prior authorizations.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
The Board of Pharmacy is holding a public hearing on July 18 in Reno. The full meeting agenda has not been posted.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Ohio will soon join the ranks of states that have updated its immunization law post-pandemic. On June 26, the last day of session prior to summer recess, the House passed, and the Senate concurred on SB 144. The bill will permit pharmacists and technicians to administer a vaccine “for any disease” to patients aged five years and older. It is now on its way to Gov. Mike DeWine (R) for signing. NACDS thanks our in-state partners, members and allies for the remarkable team effort in getting this bill across the finish line.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Effective July 1, 2024, the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) will implement a single, state-directed pharmacy benefit preferred drug list (PDL) for all members and providers enrolled in the South Carolina Healthy Connections Medicaid program; see MB #24-016 for details.
SCDHHS recently held live training webinars to answer questions from providers about the upcoming transition to a single PDL. The training sessions were intended for prescribers and dispensers. A recording is available on SCDHHS’ website for those who were unable to attend either training webinar. A frequently asked questions document, which is available in the pharmacy section of SCDHHS’ website, has also been updated.
The single PDL is based on SCDHHS’ current fee-for-service (FFS) PDL. The current FFS PDL is available in the pharmacy section of SCDHHS’ website.
As a reminder, South Carolina’s Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) are responsible for the authorizations, coverage and reimbursement related to the services described in MB #24-016 for Healthy Connections Medicaid members who are enrolled in an MCO.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The TennCare pharmacy diaper program will launch on August 1, 2024. For children ages two years and younger, the program provides access to up to 100 diapers per month per child. Children with TennCare or CoverKids are eligible. Pharmacies can voluntarily participate as access points for the program; an informational webinar for pharmacies will be held on July 9 from 9:00-10:00 am CT.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Vendor Drug Program (VDP) will update the Medicaid Preferred Drug List (PDL) on July 25. HHSC is making changes to the PDL based on recommendations agreed to at the January and April Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board meetings. The April 26, Preferred Drug List recommendations and January 26 Preferred Drug List decisions are available for review.
Also in Texas, in advance of the July 1, 2024 deadline, NACDS submitted comments to the HHSC VDP in support of the draft policy change expanding the list of vaccines included on the Medicaid formulary. Importantly, adopting this updated policy would expand access to a broader portfolio of pharmacy provided vaccines for adults covered under the Medicaid program. NACDS also urged VDP to adjust the Medicaid pharmacy vaccine administration fee to align more closely with the administration fee that CMS has set for pharmacy-provided vaccines covered by Medicare.
Finally in Texas, the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) Advisory Committee met on June 27. The PMP Advisory Committee recommends to the Board of Pharmacy operational improvements, identifies data concerns and suggests methods to improve data accuracy, integrity and security.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Committee (PQAC) held a one-day meeting on June 27.
Also in Washington, starting in July, Apple Health coverage is expanding to adults age 19 years and older with certain immigration status.
Finally in Washington, the Health Care Authority (HCA) published quarterly updates to many of the Apple Health billing guides that go into effect on July 1, 2024. Billing guides are located on HCA’s Provider billing guides and fee schedules webpage.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Department of Health Care Servies posted the following alerts and weekly notice on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal.
Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Family and Social Services Administration’s (FSSA) Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) issued BT202476 to update providers on Health Indiana Plan (HIP) preventive care services exempt from copayment.
Also in Indiana, the Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) issued a bulletin reminding providers about the Fee-for-Service (FFS) prior authorization appeals process.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.