In The States – Page 79 – Weekly news about states

Washington

Gov. Jay Inslee (D) hosted a roundtable this week to discuss the fentanyl crisis and laid out his proposals for the upcoming legislative session. The governor’s budget adds over $50 million in new funding to take down opioids for the 2023–25 biennium, augmenting the investments from the state’s $82 million opioid settlements with drug manufacturers and pharmacies responsible in part for the opioid crisis and general fund investments within the 2023–25 biennial budget. The biennial budget allocated over $200 million for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment facility operations, rental subsidies for people with SUD, treatment subsidies, criminal diversion programs, peer support services, Tribal SUD grants and more.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Michael Silber2023-12-15T10:30:35-05:00December 15, 2023|Washington|

Alabama

Please find the latest ALERT for pharmacy providers regarding coverage for adult vaccines, COVID vaccines and their administration. Also, an ALERT regarding coverage of adult vaccines for non-pharmacy providers has been released. Both versions have been released and will be sent to the respective provider lists. Medicaid shared both ALERTs so that individuals were aware there is a specific notice for pharmacy providers as the billing is unique to pharmacy. All ALERTs can be found here.

Also in Alabama, the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) has approved a community-based mobile crisis state plan amendment (SPA) that allows Alabama to create mobile crisis intervention teams to provide Medicaid crisis services. Alabama will be able to provide these services by connecting eligible individuals in crisis to a behavioral health provider 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. For more information on this approval, please see the full Alabama SPA.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

Erica Joyner2023-12-08T10:10:04-05:00December 8, 2023|Alabama|

Alaska

The Board of Pharmacy scheduled a special meeting on December 7 to review public comments received for the most recent publicly noticed regulations project, continue the discussion on unexpected closures of pharmacies.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Erica Joyner2023-12-08T10:09:11-05:00December 8, 2023|Alaska|

Arkansas

The Insurance Commissioner issued a Bulletin #20-2023 defining business days and hours in the Prior Authorization Transparency Act.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Erica Joyner2023-12-08T10:08:35-05:00December 8, 2023|Arkansas|

California

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) posted the following alerts, weekly notices, and monthly bulletin on the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal. Please note the “Maximum Allowable Ingredient Cost 30-Day Pharmacy Provider Notice”; rates will be effective January 1, 2024, and will be posted to the Mercer Med-Cal Rx website no later than December 1, 2023. Also note the “Commercial COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage for Children” alert providing an updated policy whereby COVID-19 vaccines are a Medi-Cal Rx pharmacy benefit for members three years of age and older.

Medi-Cal Rx Weekly Wrap-up for November 17-30 (December 1)
Reinstatement Spotlight (December 1)
30-day Countdown: Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan Transition (December 1)
Maximum Allowable Ingredient Cost 30-day Pharmacy Provider Notice (December 1)
Medical Supplies Updates: Updates to Contracted Pen Needles, Insulin Syringes, and Sterile Syringes with Needles (Non-Insulin), Effective January 1, 2024 (December 1)
Medical Supplies Update: Updates to Diabetic Testing Supplies, Effective January 1, 2024 (December 1)
Medical Supplies Update: Updates to List of Contracted Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose Systems (Glucometers), Control Solutions, and Lancing Devices, Effective January 1, 2024 (December 1)
Updates to the List of Contracted Enteral Nutrition Products, Effective January 1, 2024 (December 1)
Medi-Cal Rx Monthly Bulletin for December (December 1)
Changes to the Medi-Cal Rx Contract Drugs List (December 1)
Updates to the Medi-Cal Rx Provider Manual (December 1)
Commercial COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage for Children (November 29)
Paper Remittance Advice: Dollar Sign Placement Update (November 22)
Reinstatement Spotlight (November 17)

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy provided this important alert and reminder to licensees about the drug xylazine.

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

Erica Joyner2023-12-08T10:08:01-05:00December 8, 2023|California|

Colorado

Gov. Jared Polis (D) convened a special session in mid-November to address property taxes.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Erica Joyner2023-12-08T10:07:20-05:00December 8, 2023|Colorado|

District of Columbia

The Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) Quarterly Pharmacy Stakeholders meeting will take place on December 19 and 20. A virtual meeting link is available by RSVP’ing to allison.williams@primetherapeutics.com no later than December 18.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Erica Joyner2023-12-08T10:06:48-05:00December 8, 2023|District of Columbia|

Indiana

The Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) issued a bulletin reminding pharmacy providers to submit claims with the appropriate DAW codes.

Also in Indiana, after four interim legislative hearings, the Health Care Cost Oversight Task Force issued a report with seven recommendations for legislation, including increasing transparency and prohibiting spread pricing by PBMs, third parties and insurers.

Finally in Indiana, the IHCP Bulletin 2023168 provides informational updates on the November Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Erica Joyner2023-12-08T10:06:16-05:00December 8, 2023|Indiana|

Louisiana

The Department of Health (LDH) issued a report detailing the results of key initiatives and policy goals for five major categories designed to make measurable improvements:

Improve health and well-being across the lifespan of Louisianans
Support vulnerable and underserved populations
Invest in and empower #TeamLDH
Improve performance, accountability, and compliance
Strengthen customer service, partnerships, and community relations

Also in Louisiana, LDH issued a bulletin outlining the available options to providers for pursuing claims resolutions and appeals of issues with Medicaid managed care organizations (MCO) and the state’s fee-for-service claims processor, Gainwell Technologies.

Also in Louisiana, LDH issued a revised bulletin with added information on provider enrollment.

Also in Louisiana, LDH announced an 11% decline in new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnoses over the past five years. As of June 2023, the number of individuals living with HIV in Louisiana stands at 22,920.

Finally in Louisiana, LDH issued a memorandum announcing that diabetic supplies will be added to the Medicaid Single Preferred Drug List to be reimbursed as pharmacy claims only effective December 1, 2023.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Erica Joyner2023-12-08T10:05:38-05:00December 8, 2023|Louisiana|