Arkansas
Attorney General Leslie Rutledge announced a lawsuit against drug manufacturers and Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) for manipulating and inflating insulin and drug prices in Arkansas. In the complaint filed in Pulaski County, Attorney General Rutledge alleges that Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, and Eli Lilly conspired with Express Scripts, Caremark and Optum to significantly increase their revenues by unfairly and deceptively driving up the costs of insulin, making insulin, and other diabetic treatments unaffordable for many diabetics in Arkansas and creating an enormous financial burden for Arkansas consumers.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
California
The Board of Pharmacy announced its June meeting schedule.
- June 16, 2022 – Petitioner Board Meeting
• June 22, 2022 – Standard of Care Ad Hoc Committee Meeting
• June 22, 2022 – Medication Error Reduction and Workforce Ad Hoc Committee Meeting
Also in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) appointed Jessica Crowley to the Board of Pharmacy. Having held a variety of positions within CVS pharmacy between 2010-2020, Dr. Crowley has been a staff pharmacist for Pavilions Pharmacy since 2020. She is a member of Lambda Kappa Sigma, United Food and Commercial Workers, the California Pharmacists Association and Phi Lambda Sigma.
Also in California, this week, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced its plans for Medi-Cal Rx Reinstatement of Claim Edits and Prior Authorizations. DHCS along with Magellan hosted a series of webinars to provide an overview of a phased approach for reinstatement of safety edits and prior authorizations and the phasing out of the Transition Policy. Stakeholder feedback has been fundamental to the reinstatement design and will remain a critical component throughout the reinstatement process. DHCS is requesting stakeholder feedback to refine the approach to reinstatement. Stakeholders who would like to submit comments may do so through the close of business on June 10 via email to Reinstatement@dhcs.ca.gov.
Finally in California, the Department of Health Care Services posted the following alerts and notices on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal.
- Age Restrictions on Psychotropics Updated (June 1)
- Medi-Cal Rx Monthly Bulletin for June (June 1)
- Changes to Contract Drugs List (CDL) (June 1)
- Changes to Contract Drugs List (CDL) – Over-the-Counter Drugs (June 1)
- Updates to the Medi-Cal Rx Provider Manual (June 1)
- Maximum Allowable Ingredient Cost (MAIC) 30-Day Pharmacy Provider Notice (June 1)
- Medical Supplies Prescriber Updates (June 1)
- Diabetic Supplies Updates (June 1)
- Medi-Cal Rx Checkwrite Schedule – State Fiscal Year 2021-22; Hold Notation Update (May 27)
- Reminder: Fiscal Year Two-Week Fee-For-Service Hold for Specific Provider Payments (May 27)
- Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-Up for May 20-26 (May 27)
- Changes to Family PACT Pharmacy Formulary (May 26)
- Medi-Cal Rx Updated FAQs (May 23)
- Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-Up for May 13-May 19 (May 20)
- Submitting a Claim – Best Practices (May 19)
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Illinois
Governor JB Pritzker (D) has signed HB4595, on May 13, 2022, effective July 1, 2022, this legislation amends the state’s insurance contract and provides that a contract between a pharmacy benefit manager or third-party payer and a covered entity under the 340B program may not contain certain provisions.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Kentucky
On June 1, Medicaid filed concurrent emergency and ordinary regulations making changes to the 340 (B) program and increasing the frequency of permitted dispensing fees for drugs to treat substance abuse disorders to weekly.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Louisiana
The Department of Health (LDH) has recently updated its Medicaid COVID-19 vaccine billing schedule adding reimbursement for booster doses for ages 5-11.
Also in Louisiana, LDH requested NACDS remind pharmacies that file claims with Louisiana Medicaid must enroll in Medicaid’s new web‐based provider enrollment portal by June 30, 2022. Any existing Medicaid providers that do not submit an application to initiate the screening process through the new portal will have their claims denied.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Maine
Last year, the legislature passed LD 8 which established a prescription drug take-back program in Maine for pharmacies. Pharmacies will have the choice of a secure collection kiosk or offering customers a voucher for a mail-back envelope to properly dispose of unused prescription medications. Drug manufacturers are due to submit a plan to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) by July 1, 2022.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Maryland
A bill, HB299, allowing pharmacists to administer injectable medications for the treatment of sexually transmitted infections became law last week and will be effective Oct. 1, 2022, pending the adoption of regulations.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Michigan
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHSS) has updated the Medicaid PDL (Preferred Drug List) effective 6/1/2022.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Missouri
Pharmacy technician licenses expired May 31, 2022. Any technician that did not renew cannot work until the Board office has renewed their license. While the online renewal option ended on May 31st, a paper renewal is available online.
The Department of Commerce and Insurance’s (DCI) Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is opening its application portal for pharmacies to receive and dispense the oral antivirals Paxlovid and Lagevrio (Molnupiravir) to COVID-19 patients with prescriptions.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Montana
On May 13, the Department of Public Health, and Human Services (DPHHS) revised its Provider Revalidation Extension. The following is currently posted on the DPHHS website:
“On December 13, 2021, Montana Healthcare Programs began sending revalidation notices to providers who are due for provider revalidation. The letters specify a due date. Montana Healthcare Programs is extending the required revalidation date for any provider who has received a revalidation notice. This extension is primarily due to a known system issue that is creating challenges for some providers when trying to revalidate. Providers should not attempt to revalidate their provider information at this time. Notices will be posted when the online revalidation feature is working properly. Providers will be given a minimum of 90 days
to complete revalidation activities once notification has occurred.”
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Nebraska
The Department of Health and Human Services posted the COVID-19 Pediatric Vaccine Update effective May 17.
Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the next COVID-19 Medicaid Provider call will take place on July 6 at noon (Central).
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
New Hampshire
The New Hampshire legislature passed SB229 and it is on its way to the Governor for his signature. This measure allows licensed or certified pharmacy technicians to administer vaccines under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. To administer vaccines, pharmacy technicians must be registered with the board and must have completed training that includes hands-on injection techniques and the recognition and treatment of emergency reactions to vaccines.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
New Jersey
NACDS submitted a letter to the New Jersey Board of Pharmacy asking the Board to extend the Remote Processing Pilot until the rulemaking to permanently allow for this activity is finalized. Although the Board has already initiated rulemaking to allow remote processing more broadly, the pilot is scheduled to expire at the end of June and therefore must be extended for participating pharmacies and pharmacy personnel to continue to engage in remote processing activities.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
North Carolina
State Health Director Dr. Betsey Tilson issued an updated COVID-19 Vaccine Standing Order that includes booster for patients between 5-11 years old.
You can find all the statewide standing orders for pharmacists at the Department of Public Health website provided here.
Also in North Carolina, the most recent North Carolina Medicaid Pharmacy Newsletter can be found here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Oregon
The Board of Pharmacy posted the June 8-10, 2022 Board Meeting agenda and meeting materials.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
South Carolina
Governor Henry McMaster (R) signed SB628 on May 23, 2022. The hormonal contraceptives bill, which was amended to include Central Fill, will take effect upon the issuance of written joint protocol by the Board of Medical Examiners and the Board of Pharmacy, not later than six months from passage.
Also in South Carolina, the Department of Health, and Human Services (SCDHHS) has announced it is seeking feedback on its draft “South Carolina Medicaid Quality Strategy.” The draft document is available here on SCDHHS’ website. The agency will collect public comments on the draft document until June 18, 2022.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Tennessee
Governor William Lee (R) signed SB1859, on May 9, 2022, effective immediately, this legislation requires the board of pharmacy to promulgate rules necessary to ensure that an individual who is blind, visually impaired, or otherwise print disabled has appropriate access to prescription labels, bag tags, and medical guides.
Also in Tennessee, Governor Lee signed HB2660/SB2457, on May 4, 2022, effective immediately. This legislation authorizes the Department of Commerce and Insurance to promulgate rules for pharmacy benefit managers and pharmacy benefits. Rules are prohibited from extending, modifying, or conflicting with any provision of the Tennessee Code. The rules must implement PBM audits necessary to ensure compliance; provide additional licensure requirements for PBMs; implement a complaints and administrative hearings process and provide for fees to cover the cost of supervising compliance payable by a PBM subject to an audit.
Finally in Tennessee, Governor William Lee (R) has signed Senate Bill 2458/House Bill 2661, as amended, Much of this law offers clean-up language to 2021’s Public Chapter 569, and stakeholders advocated for key elements to ensure all provisions can be properly enforced by the TDCI, which align with Arkansas’ law that was defended by the U.S. Supreme Court in Rutledge v. PCMA. Summary points of the law include, medication product reimbursement, update to the professional dispensing fee, patient access, clear determination that this law applies to ERISA plans and a clearly defined role of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Texas
On May 18th and 19th. the House Insurance Committee held two days of interim hearings on health care laws adopted in 2021 including the pharmacy specific laws passed – SB (Senate Bill) 1264, HB (House Bill) 1919 and HB 1763.
Also in Texas, the Board of Pharmacy has many resources available on their website to keep pharmacies connected with the Agency, including General Practice Resources and Coronavirus information.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Utah
The Board of Pharmacy posted the April 26, 2022 signed meeting minutes.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Virginia
On May 27, Gov. Youngkin (R) signed HB 1323 and SB 672, identical bills that mirror pharmacies immunization and testing authority from the federal PREP (Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness) Act. The bills, sponsored by Delegate Bobby Orrock (R) and Senator Siobhan Dunnavant (R), were priorities of VACDS (Virginia Association of Chain Drug Stores) and NACDS. Specifically, the bill allows pharmacist and technicians to administer the full Centers for Disease Control (CDC) vaccine schedule to patients 3 years of age and older; clarifies that pharmacists can order and administer COVID tests; allows pharmacists to initiate tobacco cessation therapies including prescription drugs under protocol; and requires Medicaid to reimburse pharmacies for the initiation of treatment and vaccines.
Also in Virginia, The Department of Health has updated the COVID-19 Vaccine Standing Order to reflect CDC/ACIP recommendations from May.
Finally in Virginia, The Board of Pharmacy has posted the agenda for the June 6th Public Hearing and Full Board Meeting.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
Washington
The Health Care Authority (HCA) revised the Emergency COVID-19 Fee Schedule provider billing guidelines under COVID-19 for Apple Health.
Also in Washington, the Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee and Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board will be meeting on June 15th to review drug classes for the Washington PDL, and for the DUR Board to review drug classes for the Apple Health (Medicaid) PDL. This meeting will be held by Zoom webinar only. You will need to register for the webinar to receive the meeting link.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Wisconsin
A new online self-guided license application process, LicensE, is now live. Applicants can apply at the new, online, self-guided occupational license application at license.wi.gov.
For more information, please contact NACDS’ Ben Pearlman at 617-515-2603.
Alabama
Effective June 7, 2022, providers will no longer be able to access the Medicaid Interactive Web Portal using Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE). At that time, the Medicaid Interactive Web Portal will officially support the Microsoft Edge browser and may also be accessed with other modern browsers.
If you are currently using IE, the Department strongly recommends you update to the Microsoft Edge web browser. When changing browsers, it is important to familiarize yourself with the various user interfaces and navigational changes.
If you are presently using a browser other than IE, there will be no changes when utilizing the Medicaid Interactive Web Portal.
Providers with questions concerning the upcoming change can submit them to the following email address: interChangeTesting@gainwelltechnologies.com.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
Alaska
The Board of Pharmacy has proposed rules updating existing regulations on pharmacies, pharmacist interns, pharmacy technicians, wholesale drug distributors, outsourcing facilities, and third-party logistics providers. Written comments are due on June 13, 2022.
Also in Alaska, legislation expanding the scope of practice for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians was sent to Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) for his signature. HB (House Bill) 145
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Arizona
The Board of Pharmacy informed licensees about a scam involving a letter that is coming from the Board. The SCAM letter indicates suspension of license with opportunity to restore it by obtaining authorization from the concerned department. There is also a follow-up call to the licensee asking to wire money to resolve the issue. As a reminder, this is contrary to Board operations, the Board posted a process to manage complaints. Please reach out to the Arizona Board of Pharmacy using the contact information on the Board’s website directly if you receive suspicious mail, fax, or phone calls.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.