The Department of Health Care Services continues to post and publish information to prepare pharmacy providers for the implementation of Medi-Cal Rx effective January 1, 2022.  See “Medi-Cal Rx begins January 1st, are you ready?”. Note: use this link Office Hour Luncheon Session ,which is only available Monday-Friday, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. PST (excluding holidays).  Please note the prior authorization process and other essential information. Lastly, the Medi-Cal Rx customer service number is 1-800-977-2273 and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year after January 1, 2022. The Customer Service Center published a list of Main Menu Prompt Options. 

Also in California, the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal has been updated with the following.  Note: Medi-Cal Rx will be implemented effective January 1, 2022.  

• Countdown to Go-Live – Have You Reviewed the Medi-Cal Rx Pharmacy Transition Policy? 
• Medi-Cal Rx Electronic Claims Agreement 

Also in California, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) published its Stakeholder Communication Update – December 2021.  Highlights include the following.  See update for details and additional information.  

• Continuous glucose monitors, as a pharmacy-billed medical supply benefit through Medi-Cal Rx, will be covered effective January 1, 2022.  See Medi-Cal Rx: Transitioning Medi-Cal Pharmacy Services from Managed Care to Fee-for-Service Frequently Asked Questions (Version 10.0 – December 3, 2021). 
• Medi-Cal Rx: For questions or comments related to Medi-Cal Rx, email RxCarveOut@dhcs.ca.gov 
• CMS has approved SPA 21-0028, adding MTM as a payable Medi-Cal Fee-for-Service pharmacy service provided in conjunction with certain complex chronic medical conditions. participate in the program, Medi-Cal-enrolled pharmacies will be required to enter a contract with DHCS.  

Also in California, the Department of Consumer Affairs issued a news release reminding providers of mandatory e-prescribing requirements effective January 1, 2022, pursuant to AB 2789 (Chapter 438, 2018). 

Finally in California, the Department of Justice (DOJ) recently announced that Bamboo Health will be the new vendor for prescription data collection services for the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES). Additional details and information will be provided in the coming weeks regarding the transition process in early 2022 from the current vendor, Atlantic Associates Inc. (AAI), to the new vendor, Bamboo Health.

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

The Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal has been updated with the following:  

• Medi-Cal Rx Web Claims Submission (WCS) User Guide. More information on User Administration Console (UAC) registration is available in the UAC Quick Start Guide. 
• Countdown to Go-Live — Are You Aware of the Cutoff Dates? includes important information and deadlines leading up to implementation of Medi-Cal Rx, effective January 1, 2022. 

Also in California, for Medi-Cal Rx updates, please visit the Department of Health Care Services’ Medi-Cal Rx: Transition website and the Medi-Cal Rx website. Medi-Cal Rx pharmacy stakeholders are strongly encouraged to sign-up for urgent announcements and other updates as they are posted to the Medi-Cal Rx website. Medi-Cal Rx will be effective January 1, 2022.  

Also in California, the Board of Pharmacy released the following Notices of Modified Text: 

• Further amending section 1715.6 to Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations related to Reporting Drug Losses.
  • Notice of Modified Text
  • Modified Text  

• Further amending section 1715.65 to Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations related to Inventory Reconciliation.
  • Notice of Modified Text
  • Modified Text  

Comments are due December 18 and can be submitted to Lori Martinez . 

Finally in California, This is a reminder that under SB 212 (2018), which established a prescription drug and sharps take-back program in California, retail pharmacies that sell a covered drug under their own label must submit written notification to the Board of Pharmacy identifying the covered entity from which the retail pharmacy obtains the covered product.  

“Covered entity” is defined under SB 212 as a manufacturer of covered products that are sold into the state. If there is not a manufacturer for a covered product, then the covered entity is the distributor of the covered product sold into the state. If there is not a manufacturer or distributor for a covered product, then the covered entity is the owner or licensee of a trademark or brand name under which covered products are sold into the state. If there is not a manufacturer, distributor, or owner or licensee of trademark or brand name, then the covered entity is the importer of the covered product into the state. 

Please click here to view the relevant provision in statute – Public Resources Code Section 42031(b).  

We have been made aware that few pharmacies required to report this information have not done so. If applicable, this is a reminder to please submit this information to the Board of Pharmacy’s Executive Officer, Anne Sodergren, at anne.sodergren@dca.ca.gov and lilly.fang@dca.ca.gov.  

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