The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) released recent updates and information including the following:  

• The Heritage Health pharmacy reference guide has recently been updated (August 2021). 
• Because COVID-19 State of Emergency ended on June 30, those licensees, including pharmacy technicians, impacted by the original order (Executive Order 20-10) will be notified through a mailing that they need to renew their licenses before October 31. 
• The 471-000-540 Nebraska Medicaid Practitioner Fee Schedule for Injectables was updated effective July 1. 
• Provider Bulletin 21-13 includes changes to Preferred Drug List (effective July 15) and Hepatitis C (July 1) Criteria. 
• DHHS announced that all Nebraskans eligible for Medicaid expansion will receive equal benefits coverage, including OTC medications, starting October 1.
• DHHS issued notice of public hearing on August 18 to receive comments on proposed changes to Nebraska Medicaid Managed Care (NAC Title 482, Chapters 2, 4 and 5). The proposed changes include removing language restricting managed care organizations from offering certain coverage, including over-the-counter drug coverage, as value-added services. Also, the proposed changes include removing language that excludes Basic benefit plan enrollees from certain services, including pharmacy services. These changes align the rules with the withdrawal of Nebraska’s 1115 demonstration waiver and implementation of the Heritage Health Adult program. 

Also in Nebraska, the draft July 13 minutes from the recent Medicaid DUR Board Meeting and the Board Policy Statements are now available. 

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