The Department of Human Services issued a Medical Assistance Bulletin last week announcing that on August 8 Medicaid implemented an increase in the pharmacy Professional Dispensing Fee (PDF) from $7.00 to $10.00, based on negotiations with CMS regarding the SPA filed last year. Additionally, Medicaid intends to process retroactive payments to April 1, 2017. Retroactive payments will be processed during the fourth quarter of 2018 and will be received by providers by the end of the current calendar year. The Medical Assistance Bulletin states that the increase is a result of CMS’ concern that the originally-proposed $7.00 PDF did not reflect the PDFs of neighboring states. The amended SPA has been approved by CMS. NACDS thanks the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drug Stores and the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association for joining with us to advocate with both CMS and the legislature on this critical issue.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.