The Department of Human Services (DHS) issued a provider Bulletin announcing that both their managed care and fee for service Medicaid programs will operate under a single Preferred Drug List (PDL) beginning Jan. 1, 2020. For further information, and to view the new PDL see the Bulletin.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Texas Health and Human Services’ (HHSC) Vendor Drug Program (VDP) held a press conference in which they unveiled their business plan, including a roadmap to work more closely with pharmacies and other providers to improve benefits and services for Medicaid patients. Among other things, VDP announced that, in addition to reimbursing pharmacies for long-acting injectables, flu and vivitrol, Medicaid would soon begin paying pharmacies for the administration of naloxone too. For more information go to – https://hhs.texas.gov/about-hhs/communications-events/news/2019/10/hhs-unveils-blueprint-a-healthy-texas
Also in Texas… The Texas Interagency Advisory Committee held a meeting to discuss the waiver process for the implementation of HB 2174, the new electronic prescribing of controlled substances law chain pharmacy worked to pass earlier this year that will go into effect in January of 2021.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Medicaid has proposed a new default reimbursement methodology if no AAC exists for a drug product. Currently, if no AAC exists, the alternative is WAC+0%. Medicaid is suggesting a change to WAC-4% for brand drugs only. Comments on the proposal are due at 12:00 noon on Friday, October 11.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Board of Pharmacy’s Regulation Revision Committee will be meeting on Thursday, October 17. In advance of the meeting, members are encouraged to submit letters of support urging the Board to amend rules to eliminate the pharmacy technician-to-pharmacist ratio.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is proposing to transition all pharmacy drug coverage to Medicaid fee-for-service effective Sunday, December 1. Comments are due to MDHHS by Monday, November 4.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
On October 10, NACDS along with the New Mexico Pharmacists Association and the New Mexico Retail Association met with Attorney General Hector Balderas (D) and his staff to discuss how chain pharmacies are a critical part of the solution to the opioid abuse crisis, to highlight examples of how chain pharmacies are working prevent opioid abuse and increase access to treatment, and to promote NACDS’ public policy solutions.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Board of Pharmacy has developed several tools to help pharmacies prepare for inspections. A new online video. (1). To watch the program, visit the board’s website and click the links to go to Licensees > Important Information for Licensees > Ask an Inspector. (2) A new brochure – “Pharmacy Inspections by the California State Board of Pharmacy” – to help licensees understand and prepare for inspections.
Also in California… As part of the “Use, Don’t Abuse” safe disposal of prescription drugs campaign, the Board of Pharmacy is sponsoring billboards statewide with a public service message reminding Californians to safely dispose of unused or unwanted prescription drugs.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Effective October 1, the Department of Health (LDH) implemented a new educational alert at the point-of-sale for concurrent uses of opiates and antipsychotic medicines for the Medicaid fee-for-service program
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
On October 2, the State Department of Health released its proposed regulations to implement the drug disposal law passed in 2018 (Chapter 120) which requires chain pharmacies of 10 or more and non-resident pharmacies to offer patients a drug disposal/drug takeback option via an in-store receptacle or mail back program. Under the law, the program is to be managed and funded by the drug manufacturers. NACDS engaged in numerous meetings with both state regulators and drug manufacturers to insure a workable program for all.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.