The Joint Committee on Insurance and Commerce held a hearing at the Capitol on July 13. Included on the agenda was Interim Study Proposal (ISP-2023-068) by Sen. Clarke Tucker (D), draft legislation proposing to amend the Law Concerning Maximum Allowable Cost (MAC) Lists to Define a Similarly Situated Pharmacy, Clarify How a Pharmacy Benefits Manager Provided its Maximum Allowable Cost List and Establish a Private Right of Action.  

Also in Arkansas, the Insurance Department issued Bulletin 12-2023: “Application of Arkansas Prior Authorization Law to Non-Physician Healthcare Providers.” 

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

Janet Mann is the new Medicaid Director with the Department of Human Services. Mann has over 20 years of experience in health care and finance, including working in Mississippi Medicaid.

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

HB 1007, legislation establishing a statewide protocol that would allow pharmacists to diagnose and assess conditions for HIV and to dispense PrEP and PEP, passed the House by a vote of 95 to 0, and was heard in the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee this week.

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

HB (House Bill) 1007, legislation establishing a statewide protocol that would allow pharmacists to diagnose and assess conditions for HIV and to dispense PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) and PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis), was amended in the House Committee on Public Health, Welfare and Labor.

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

The legislature convened on January 9, 2023. HB (House Bill) 1007 was a prefile. The bill would expand a pharmacist’s authority to prescribe HIV pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP/PEP) under a statewide protocol.  

Also in Arkansas, the Department of Human Services posted pharmacy billing Medicaid copay changes and exemptions effective January 1, 2023.

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

Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) appointed Mark White as the Secretary of the Department of Human Services, replacing Cindy Gillespie.

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

On September 19, the Insurance Department (AID) issued Rule 118, a final rule regulating Pharmacy Benefit Managers. 

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

The Insurance Department issued a Bulletin reminding all licensed PBMs that they are not allowed to charge pharmacies fees during credentialing or re-credentialing. Further, the Commissioner advised the PBM (Pharmacy Benefit Manager) industry that they may not charge a fee related to claims processing unless approved by the Commissioner. 

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

Test & Treat Protocols for both strep and flu were finally approved by the Arkansas Medical Board in August. Previously, these rules were approved by the Pharmacy Board in June. Act 503 passed in 2021 authorized Arkansas pharmacists to test, screen, and treat patients for influenza and pharyngitis caused by streptococcus A within the framework of a written statewide protocol. Arkansas pharmacists may develop their own policies and procedures and begin offering the service, and bill for these services utilizing their own NPI number. 

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