In The States – Page 19 – Weekly news about states

Oregon

NACDS submitted a letter to the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) expressing concern about the inclusion of vaccines in PDAB affordability reviews and strongly encouraging the removal of vaccines as eligible for affordability reviews by the PDAB. Both the Affordable Care Act and the Inflation Reduction Act mandate that all vaccines recommended by CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) are covered without cost-sharing for all publicly and privately insured individuals.

Also in Oregon, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) posted the agenda and meeting materials for its next meeting on June 26. Please register in advance of the meeting. 

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

Michael Silber2024-06-20T10:14:54-04:00June 20, 2024|Oregon|

South Carolina

The Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) will operate on an updated schedule for Healthy Connections Medicaid claims submission and payments in June-July 2024. Due to the Independence Day holiday, June 28 is the deadline to submit claims for payment date July 5. Payments will run July 1 and electronic remittance advice will be available on July 4. Payments will be dated July 5, as usual. The schedule will return to the normal payment cycle on payment date July 5, 2024. Please refer any questions or concerns regarding this bulletin to the Provider Service Center (PSC) at (888) 289-0709.

Also in South Carolina, effective July 1, 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) is updating and clarifying policies in the Provider Administrative and Billing Manual. These policy changes will be added to the Provider Administrative and Billing Manual available on SCDHHS’ website by July 1.

Finally in South Carolina, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has informed the Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) that Healthy Connections Medicaid providers will participate in the Payment Error Rate Measurement (PERM) program for state fiscal year 2025; see MD #24-029 for details. CMS’ PERM program was developed to measure the accuracy of Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) payments made by states. Each state is reviewed once every three years. Samples of claims with paid dates of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, will be subject to review.

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

Michael Silber2024-06-20T10:14:00-04:00June 20, 2024|South Carolina|

Texas

The Health and Human Services Commission’s (HHSC) Vendor Drug Program (VDP) Medicaid is soliciting stakeholder comments about adding 14 additional vaccines to be a covered benefit for the Adult Vaccines Program. HHSC already covers influenza and COVID-19 vaccines on the Texas Medicaid formulary and proposes adding the additional vaccines listed above for adults ages 19 years and older enrolled in Medicaid. Comments are due on July 1, 2024, and must be submitted using the HHS Form 1342.

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

Michael Silber2024-06-20T10:13:18-04:00June 20, 2024|Texas|

Virginia

The Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda for its June 25 meeting. Please note they intend to discuss the emergency regulations for central fill/remote processing, the final regulations updating the 2022 test and treat law and current pharmacy workforce conditions in preparation for a new workforce survey.

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

Michael Silber2024-06-20T10:12:50-04:00June 20, 2024|Virginia|

Washington

The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) is meeting on June 27. Written comments must be submitted by 5:00 pm on June 21 to WSPQAC@doh.wa.gov.

Also in Washington, the Health Care Authority’s (HCA) Health Care Cost Transparency Board began collecting data from the largest health insurance carriers in the state in 2022. The first annual report, Health care spending growth in Washington, 2017–2019, and one-page summary of key findings are now available.

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

Michael Silber2024-06-20T10:12:25-04:00June 20, 2024|Washington|

Alaska

The Board of Pharmacy proposed regulation changes dealing with pharmacy technicians, collaborative practice authorities, sterile pharmaceutical guidelines, manufacturer license requirements, PDMP (Prescription Drug Monitoring Program) registration, alternative to probation program and definitions. Written comments should be submitted to RegulationsAndPublicComment@alaska.gov by 4:30 pm on July 8.

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

Michael Silber2024-06-13T14:48:53-04:00June 13, 2024|Alaska|

Arkansas

The Legislative Council approved a rule that allows Medicaid reimbursement for continuous blood glucose monitors (CGMs).

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

Michael Silber2024-06-13T14:48:25-04:00June 13, 2024|Arkansas|

California

The Department of Health Care Servies posted the following alerts, weekly report and monthly bulletin on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal.

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

Michael Silber2024-06-13T14:47:54-04:00June 13, 2024|California|

Colorado

Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed into law a late bill filed by the Colorado Chain Pharmacy Council, SB24-209, expanding the pharmacy practice. The key provisions are eliminating restrictions on telepharmacies, removing the age limit for pharmacists’ prescriptive authority, allowing dispensing through an automated dispensing system, expanding pharmacy technicians’ duties to allow point-of-care testing and administering all immunizations and the ability to request refills and perform other designated tasks.

Also in Colorado, the Colorado Pharmacists Society (CPS) workplace conditions survey is available here.

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

Michael Silber2024-06-13T14:46:39-04:00June 13, 2024|Colorado|