Arizona
The Board of Pharmacy will meet on June 19 and 20. Visit the Board’s website in advance to review the agenda.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
California
The Department of Health Care Servies posted the following alerts, weekly report and monthly bulletin on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal. Please note the “Maximum Allowable Ingredient Cost 30-Day Pharmacy Provider Notice”. Rates will be effective July 1, 2024, and were posted to the Mercer Medi-Cal Rx website no later than June 1.
- Medi-Cal Rx Claims and Prior Authorization Submission Outage – System Issue Resolved
- Enteral Nutrition Updates to the List of Contracted Enteral Nutrition Products, Effective September 1, 2024
- Maximum Allowable Ingredient Cost 30-Day Pharmacy Provider Notice
- Medi-Cal Rx Monthly Bulletin for June
- Changes to the Medi-Cal Rx Contract Drugs List
- Changes to the Medi-Cal Rx Contract Drugs List – Over-the-Counter Drugs and Cough/Cold Preparations
- Changes to the Medi-Cal Rx Pharmacy Reimbursable Physician Administered Drugs
- Updates to the Medi-Cal Rx Provider Manual
- Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-up for May 24-30
- Medi-Cal Rx Checkwrite Schedule – State Fiscal Year 2024-25 Available
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Colorado
HB24-209, practice act expansion, passed both houses and was sent to Gov. Jared Polis (D) to sign into law.
Also in Colorado, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) submitted an 1115 Waiver Amendment requesting to the CMS an amendment to Colorado’s Expanding the Substance Use Disorder Continuum of Care Section 1115 demonstration waiver (1115 SUD (substance use disorder) waiver). For additional information and the entire amendment, contact hcpf_1115waiver@state.co.us.
Finally in Colorado, Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed HB24-1322, legislation providing Medicaid coverage for housing and nutrition services. HCPF (Department of Health Care Policy and Financing) now has the authority to pursue a Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) 1115 demonstration waiver amendment to expand health-related social needs (HRSN) housing and nutrition services and support for certain eligible Health First Colorado (Medicaid program) members.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Connecticut
On June 4, the Department of Consumer Protection updated the proposed opioid warning label regulation upon some corrections from the Legislative Commissioner’s Office.
The Department of Consumer Protection has also given notice that it proposes to adopt a regulation concerning Emergency and Hormonal Contraceptives. Public comment period is 30 days from June 4.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Florida
The University of Florida (UF) Health has been selected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to lead a program that could reduce the health disparity gap in some Jacksonville communities by connecting patients with community pharmacists for help managing high blood pressure.
The Hypertension Pharmacists’ Program is scheduled to start this summer with the goal of expanding access to blood pressure care for the city’s medically underserved, predominantly Black communities.
The program aims to increase treatment for high blood pressure by embedding clinical pharmacists within a patient’s primary care team. The effort, facilitated by the UF Health Jacksonville Office of Community Engagement, is a collaboration among the UF Health Total Care Clinic – Jacksonville, the UF College of Pharmacy and Panama Pharmacy, and it will allow patients to see a specially trained pharmacist at a community pharmacy and seek individualized care and education.
Also in Florida, beginning July 1, 2024, hearing services for UnitedHealthcare of Florida, Inc. (United) will be provided by Audiology Distributors, LLC dba HearUSA. United is a Statewide Medicaid Managed Care plan operating in regions 3, 4, 6 and 11.
Providers that are out of network for hearing services as of July 1, will be eligible for a 60-day continuity of care period where claims will be payable to allow time for members to transition to a new provider, if necessary. All members were notified by mail of this transition. Members can still see their provider for up to sixty (60) days if they are currently receiving care from that provider. The continuity of care period will end on August 30.
If you are interested in becoming a participating provider with United for hearing services, please call HearUSA Member Services at 855-917-1967 or visit the HearUSA website.
For questions regarding this transition, contact United’s Customer Service Department at 1-877-842-3210.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Indiana
Health Coverage Program (IHCP) provided Pharmacy updates approved by Drug Utilization Review Board May 2024.
Also in Indiana, the Family and Social Services (FSSA) is launching a new Medicaid program called Indiana PathWays for Aging starting July 1.
Finally in Indiana, IHCP (Health Coverage Program) issued a bulletin correcting errors on Vaccine for Children (VFC) vaccine administration codes.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Iowa
The Department of Health and Human Services, Iowa Medicaid posted INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO. 2585-MC-FFS Avastin® (bevacizumab) Billing.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Kentucky
Effective June 1, 2024, the Department for Medicaid Services made changes to the vaccine coverage for Medicaid Fee-for-Service members.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Louisiana
The legislature adjourned sine die on June 3.
Also in Louisiana, several bills’ pharmacies supported passed both houses and were sent to Gov. Jeff Landry (R) to be signed into law.
HB 579 – Allows pharmacists to test and treat for PEP/PrEP (See NACDS’ letter to the governor supporting enactment of this legislation.)
SB 444 – Prohibits reimbursement below cost
HB 603 – PBM audits
SB 281 – PBM Enforcement and audits
Finally in Louisiana, the Department of Health issued the preferred drug list update for July 1, 2024.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.