The Insurance Commissioner has issued Pharmacy Freedom of Choice and Pharmacy Reimbursement Bulletins based on the passage of HB 2263 in 2021. Please note the Bulletins include information or members wanting to report potential violations to the Insurance Commissioner.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
On January 10, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) released his proposed 2022-23 State Budget. Both the Governor’s Budget Summary (See page 109+ for Health and Human Services) and Proposed Budget Detail have been posted. Of interest in the Health and Human Services section include:
Legislative hearings and negotiations will begin and February and continue through May. The Governor will release a revised budget in May.
Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services published the following alerts:
Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy sent a notice about reissued pharmacy law waivers in response to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) declaration of emergency and the nation declaration of emergency.
Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy issued a Notice of Meeting and Agenda for the Teleconference Medication Error Reduction and Workforce Committee Meeting on January 27. Meeting materials will be posted on the website in advance.
Finally in California, the Board of Pharmacy published a Notice of Meeting and Agenda for the Teleconference Public Board Meeting scheduled to be held January 27-28. Meeting materials will be posted on the website in advance.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Effective January 1, 2022, the UnitedHealthcare of Florida, Inc., and UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNP) changed their names to Care Improvement Plus South-Central Insurance Company d/b/a UnitedHealthcare Dual Complete. All member benefits, provider networks, and plan telephone numbers remain the same. United Healthcare continues to be responsible for the services provided to members of United Healthcare Dual Complete Plan including Medicare and Medicaid services. The website will remain www.UHCCommunityPlan.com
Contact numbers: Member and Provider Services: 1-844-560-4944
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Immunization Delivery Training for Pharmacy Technicians. A 6.0 hour CE program consisting of both home-study and live training. Under HHS authorization (PREP Act 10.20.20) trained pharmacy technicians can administer certain vaccines under the supervision and authorization of a pharmacist. GPhA is offering live training on
Saturday, February 19, 2022
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Georgia Pharmacy Association Classroom
GPhA’s Immunization Delivery Training program for Pharmacy Technicians is recognized as an education provider for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board’s (PTCB) Immunization Administration Assessment-Based Certificate. CLICK HERE for more information and to register!
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted the October 21, 2021 D & T Advisory Board Meeting Minutes at the following link.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Department of Human Services, Iowa Medicaid Enterprise (IME) published INFORMATIONAL LETTER No. 2306-MC-FFS announcing plans for the 2022 Pharmacy Cost of Dispensing Study.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
SB 25 passed the General Assembly last week and extended COVID executive orders until 4/4/22. Of interest to pharmacy, this bill continues emergency dispensing, remote work for pharmacists, and the ordering and administering vaccinations and COVID-19 testing.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) has released its report on the impact of Rutledge v. PCMA court decision and the subsequent Webhi decision on Maryland law and the MIA’s ability to regulate Pharmacy Benefits Managers (PBMs) relationships with pharmacies in Maryland. The report was mandated by the passage of HB 601 of 2021. It concluded that, should the legislature pass legislation regulating PBMs when providing services to an ERISA plan, ERISA would not preempt the MIA’s enforcement of those laws. The report also provides a summary of previously passed laws related to PBMs in Maryland and MIA’s current methods of enforcing them. The report cites comments jointly submitted from NACDS and the Maryland Association of Chain Drug Stores last fall, which highlighted examples of pro-pharmacy laws that align with the Rutledge decision.
Also in Maryland: On December 15, the Department of Health (MDH) issued an updated Vaccination Matters Order and guidance.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Massachusetts Drug Control Program has recently released a reminder regarding the dispensing of generic drugs.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.