Kentucky

The Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) has published a COVID Vaccine and Testing FAQ to assist pharmacies specific to the Medicaid Unwinding. It clarifies CHFS’ interpretation of pharmacist authority to provide COVID vaccines and testing post-May 11 and the expiration of the PREP Act. https://www.nacds.org/ceo/2023/0512/PHE-Unwinding-COVID-FAQ.pdf 

Also in Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear (D) signed HB 349, sponsored by pharmacist Rep. Danny Bentley (R). The law expands expedited partner therapy for the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) to include more diseases. The bill also permits the retail sale of HIV self-administered testing kits.  

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

2023-05-12T10:35:36-04:00May 12, 2023|Kentucky|

Louisiana

While HB 471, by Rep. Barbara Freiberg (R) authorizing pharmacists to order and administer, and pharmacy interns and pharmacy technicians to administer immunizations to children aged seven years and older was scheduled to be heard in the House Health and Welfare Committee on May 10, the sponsor asked that the bill be deferred until May 17. The additional time gives chain pharmacies an opportunity to take action and contact House Health and Welfare Committee members urging them to support HB 471 to preserve patient access for children and families to receive lifesaving vaccines at pharmacies. 

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

2023-05-12T10:34:48-04:00May 12, 2023|Louisiana|

Maryland

Beginning July 20, 2023, pharmacies will be required to report Naloxone dispensing to the PDMP (Prescription Drug Monitoring Program) because of passage of a 2022 law. Additionally, the PDMP is changing certain ASAP (American Society for Automation in Pharmacy) fields from “optional” to “required.” For more information, see the updated PDMP RxGov Data Submitter Reference Guide with changes dictated by the naloxone statute, changes to required fields and new guidance from ASAP for v4.2A & v4.2B. 

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

2023-05-12T10:33:48-04:00May 12, 2023|Maryland|

Michigan

NACDS reminds members that the Department of Insurance has posted a draft rule pursuant to the PBM Licensure and Regulation Act. NACDS is currently reviewing the rule and intends to file comments by the June 9 deadline. If there are comments you would like us to include in the letter, please send them to Jill McCormack by close of business on May 26. 

Also in Michigan, the Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is soliciting comments from Medicaid Health Plan Common Formulary. The Common Formulary applies to pharmacy claims paid by Medicaid Managed Care Organizations. The public may submit comments on the drugs included or not included on the Common Formulary; new drug products; prior authorization criteria; step therapy criteria and other topics related to drug coverage. The comments will be reviewed by MDHHS and the Michigan Medicaid Health Plan Common Formulary Workgroup. The next drug classes to be reviewed by the Workgroup include Diabetes, GI, P & T Miscellaneous, Non-Drug Products and Endocrine & Metabolic. Changes may be made to the Common Formulary based on comments received. Comments are due June 16 and should be emailed to MDHHSCommonFormulary@michigan.gov . 

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

2023-05-12T10:32:45-04:00May 12, 2023|Michigan|

Nebraska

The Department of Health and Human Services posted information about the expiration of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency including fee-for-service providers are no longer allowed to extend prior authorizations that existed before the pandemic started through to the end of the pandemic without requiring follow-up visits and cost-sharing, including copayments/copays and premiums, will continue to be waived for members of Nebraska Medicaid until June 1, 2024. 

Also in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services announced Medicaid will hold weekly public webinars on the public health unwinding as part of the return to regular eligibility operations. 

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

2023-05-12T10:29:44-04:00May 12, 2023|Nebraska|

Oregon

The Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Department of Human Services announced lifting of COVID-19 response measures as federal health emergency ended. Some changes were effective May 11 while others will take effect in the coming weeks. 

Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda for the May 16 meeting of the Compounding Workgroup and the agenda for the May 17 meeting of the Public Health & Formulary Advisory Committee. 

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

2023-05-12T10:26:28-04:00May 12, 2023|Oregon|

Texas

for HB 1105, by Rep. Four Price (R), legislation that lowers the age to three years old and up for pharmacies to administer all vaccines and immunizations, was referred to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee for a hearing.

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

2023-05-12T10:21:49-04:00May 12, 2023|Texas|

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