Washington
The Department of Health posted its July monthly bulletin “epiTRENDS”.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Arkansas
The Insurance Commissioner (“Commissioner”) issued Advisory Bulletin 8-2024 to all Insurance Department (“AID”) licensed pharmacy benefits managers (“PBMs”) related to PBM reimbursements to pharmacies at minimum levels to NADAC pricing amounts under Ark. Code Ann. § 23-92-506(b)(5)(A). The Commissioner had received several complaints from pharmacies against PBMs in which a PBM has reversed a payment to reduce or to remove a dispensing fee in the pharmacy’s compensation to equalize the payment to NADAC minimum pricing. Questions concerning this Bulletin should be directed to Legal Division at 501-371-2820 or by email at Insurance.Legal@arkansas.gov.
Also in Arkansas, Tim Griffith, the Attorney General is suing PBMs for their role as a cause of the opioid epidemic in Arkansas.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
California
The Department of Health Care Servies posted the following alerts, weekly notice and monthly bulletin on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal.
- State of Emergency Override Activation: Submission Clarification Code 13
- Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-up for June 28-July 4
- Medi-Cal Rx Monthly Bulletin for July
- Changes to the Medi-Cal Rx Contract Drugs List
- Changes to the Medi-Cal Rx Contract Drugs List – Authorized Drug Manufacturer Labeler Codes
- Updates to the Medi-Cal Rx Provider Manual
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Hawaii
Gov. Josh Green (D) signed HB 2553 (Act 104), permitting pharmacists to order and administer ACIP-approved vaccines to persons three years of age or older and authorizing pharmacy interns and pharmacy technicians under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist to administer vaccines to persons three years of age or older, if properly trained.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Louisiana
ACT 246 (SB 276) creates the crime of coerced criminal abortion by means of fraud when a person knowingly and intentionally engages in the use of an abortion-inducing drug on a pregnant woman, without her knowledge or consent, with the intent to cause an abortion, effective October 1, 2024.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Maine
The Board of Pharmacy has given Notice of Proposed Rule-Making. The Board will be hearing public comments on August 1 at 8:30 am online or in-person. These proposed set of rules are in response to several laws enacted by the 131st Legislature:
- setting standards by which a pharmacy technician may qualify to be certified to administer vaccines;
- repeals the 12-item limit for drug outlet vending machines;
- establish standards for authorizing pharmacists to prescribe, dispense and administer HIV prevention drugs, set adequate training requirements and protocols for when there is no prescription drug order, standing order or collaborative practice agreement; and
- implement requirements to increase access to birth control by making certain contraception accessible from a pharmacist.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
New Mexico
The Department of Health Care Medical Assistance Division notified Medicaid Pharmacy Providers that some of the Group and PCNs were incorrect. Here’s the updated list:
Presbyterian
- PBM Name: Capital RX
- BIN: 610744
- PCN: CRXMC
- Group: PHPCAID
United Healthcare
- PBM Name: Optum Rx
- BIN: 610494
- PCN: 4941
- Group: ACUNM
Molina
- PBM Name: CVS Caremark
- BIN: 004336
- PCN: MCAIDADV
- Group: RX51EA
Blue Cross Blue Shield
- PBM Name: Prime Therapeutics
- BIN: 011552
- PCN: SALUD
- Group: N72100 – N/A
Fee-For-Service
- PBM Name: Conduent
- BIN: 610084
- PCN: DRNMPROD
- Group: NEWMEXMED
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
New York
NYRx, the State Medicaid Prescription Drug Program, posted a Pharmacy Prior Authorizations Programs Update. This update is effective August 1, 2024.
Also in New York, the Office of Health Insurance Programs of the State Department of Health has approved the release of the May 2024 Medicaid Update. This update includes a pharmacy reminder that Medicaid providers are required to bill applicable third parties that may be liable for a claim before billing Medicaid. Medicaid is always the payor of last resort and federal regulations require that all other available resources be used before Medicaid considers payment.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Ohio
The Ohio Board of Pharmacy issued the following communications:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.