The Department of Health and Environment and Medicaid announced the selection of three managed care organizations that will serve the Medicaid program, known as KanCare. The companies include Sunflower State Health Plan, UnitedHealthcare of the Midwest Inc. and Aetna Better Health of Kansas, Inc.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Medicaid conducted an information session on June 13 regarding its proposed “Pivot Entity” (Alabama Coordinated Health Network) Initiative that builds off the Agency’s current case management program structure. A copy of the slides and the video presentation by Medicaid Medical Director Robert Moon has been posted on the Agency’s website. The webpage also includes a summary of the proposed project, which is subject to approval by CMS, and an email address to submit questions or comments. Important note: The proposed “Pivot Entity” program is designed to create a single care coordination delivery system that effectively links patients, providers and community resources in each of seven newly-defined regions. Delivery of medical services is not part of this program.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Senate Pro Tem Toni Atkins (D) announced the following committee changes:
Also in California… Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. (D) announced the appointment of Diana Dooley as Executive Secretary in the Office of Governor. She has served as Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency since 2011. Michael Wilkening was appointed Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency, where he has served as Undersecretary since 2008.
Also in California… Assemblymember Kevin McCarty’s (D) opioid rebate bill (AB 2486) was significantly amended and is now an opioid tax. Chain pharmacies would be included in the definition of wholesaler and would be subject to the tax. The language also includes taxing intracompany transfers of opioids, which means intracompany transfers from a pharmacy warehouse to its own pharmacy would be subject to the tax.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Department of Health announce that the annual open enrollment for Healthy Louisiana Medicaid Managed Care program began on June 15 and will continue until Tuesday, July 31. During this time, Louisianans can choose a new health plan or do nothing and remain with their current plan. There are five health plans that deliver physical and behavioral health care services to the nearly 1.5 million Healthy Louisiana enrollees. Enrollment changes made during this time will go into effect on Saturday, September 1.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
In a meeting this week, the MassHealth (Medicaid) announced that it will not be pursuing a proposed $1.00 reduction in the Medicaid fee-for-service professional dispensing fee. The fee will remain $10.02.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
This week, the Senate unanimously passed the pharmacy technician registration and certification proposal (NY-SB 5584). The bill will now be sent to the Assembly for its consideration.
Also in New York… NACDS joined the Chain Pharmacy Association of New York State and the New York pharmacy coalition in a meeting with the acting Medicaid Director Donna Frescatore to discuss the expanded roles that pharmacies can play in providing healthcare to the state’s Medicaid recipients.
Also in New York… This week, both the Senate and the Assembly passed NY S9100 / NY A9576-B, legislation that would require drug manufacturers to pay for public education, collection, transport and destruction of leftover drugs. It would also require mail-order pharmacies and pharmacy chains of 10 or more stores to provide on-site collection, vouchers for prepaid mail-back envelopes or other U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration-approved methods of drug disposal. The legislation also includes language pre-empting county/local ordinances. The Governor has until the end of the calendar year to sign the legislation into law.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Per a recent newsletter, effective June 21, the Medicaid policy for first fill of narcotic prescriptions changed from a 14-day supply to a 7-day supply. This change was made as an effort to align with the PQA Opioid Core Measure set.
Also in North Dakota… The Department of Human Services announced the recent redesign of its website.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a notice to Medicaid pharmacy providers on May 25 regarding the requirement that prescribers (including those administering immunizations) register with the OHA by Saturday, September 1.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Governor Greg Abbott (R) announced the appointment of a new president and five new members to the State Board of Pharmacy.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.