Arkansas
The Legislature convened its biennial fiscal session on February 14th.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
California
The following alerts have been recently posted to the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal:
- Updates to the List of Covered Diabetic Test Strips and Lancets (February 8)
- Medi-Cal Rx Provider Payments (February 8)
- Reject Code 606 – Temporary Suspension (February 9)
- Medi-Cal Rx Policy Updates (February 11)
- Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-Up for February 6-11 (February 14)
Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted this article to the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal: Professional Organizations Push for Recall of Buprenorphine Dental Warning.
Also, in California, COVID-19 related news highlighted below:
- Governor Newsom Signs $1.9 Billion COVID Package to Bolster State’s Ongoing Emergency Response
- Governor Newsom Signs Paid Sick Leave Extension, Expanded Relief for Small Businesses, and Historic Package to Promote Innovation and Entrepreneurship in California
- California Department of Public Health Issued Guidance for the Use of Face Masks effective February 16, 2022
Finally in California, the Board of Pharmacy released Notices of Modified Text for the following and will accept written comments on the proposed modifications until March 2, 2022.
- Self-Assessment of a Wholesaler/Third-Party Logistics Provider by the Designated Representative-In-Charge or Responsible Manager
- Self-Assessment of a Pharmacy by the Pharmacist-in-Charge
- Notice of Modified Text
- Modified Text
- Modified Self-Assessment Form (17M-13) – Community Pharmacy/Hospital Outpatient Pharmacy
- Modified Self-Assessment Form (17M-14) – Hospital Pharmacy
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Florida
Revised PML Tip Sheet, beginning March 1, 2022, an enhancement will be applied to the NPI Mapping Logic which will affect providers and health plans who submit claims and/or encounters to Florida Medicaid. An updated Provider Master List tip sheet is now available on the Managed Care Support section of the Florida Medicaid public Web Portal that details the changes. Health plans are encouraged to review the tip sheet to understand how the enhancement will affect their encounter submissions. Health plans can stay connected by visiting the Florida Medicaid public Web Portal often for the most up-to-date information on these changes. For additional assistance, please contact the Health Plan Support team by emailing healthplan.support@gainwelltechnologies.com.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Georgia
Georgia Pharmacy Association presents “APhA’s Delivering Medication Therapy Management Services: A Certificate Training Program for Pharmacists.” Sunday, March 27, 2022, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. This live training is being held virtually via Zoom Meetings. Click here to register!
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Illinois
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted updated PDL (Preferred Drug List) files.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Iowa
The Board of Pharmacy announced the following rulemaking actions:
- Adopted: ARC 6174C related to Collaborative Practice Agreements – effective March 16, 2022
- Notice of Intended Action:
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- ARC 6178C related to Compounding Practices RE: Veterinary Practice – comments due by 4:30 p.m. on March 1.
- ARC 6179C related to Controlled Substances – comments due by 4:30 p.m. on March 1, and a public hearing will be held via Zoom at 10:00 a.m. on March 3. Note: the board previously noticed this proposed rule and made significant changes; this is the Amended Notice of Intended Action
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Massachusetts
MassHealth, Medicaid, has updated its COVID-19 Pharmacy Practice regarding perpetual inventories.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Michigan
This week both houses of the state legislature overwhelmingly approved HB 4348 which would help enhance patient access to pharmacy services and enhance transparency into the practices of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). The legislation will now go to Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D). The Governor has indicated that she does intend to sign the proposal into law.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Montana
The Department of Public Health and Human Services issued a Notice of Amendment to ARM 37.85.105, updating effective dates of Medicaid fee schedules retroactively to January 1, 2022. Reimbursement for outpatient drugs did not change.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.